Having the right type of runway lighting is essential for any airfield. This way, the aircraft that will be flying in and out can see both where the runway is, and about the distance that they have left. You’ll notice that most runway lights are color coded, and this is extremely important. They are meant to tell a message, so that you can navigate the entire length every time. Not having the right type of runway lights can be devastating to a plane’s ability to land, so you’ll always want to set up yours in the right way, so that everyone can use your runway completely safely.
One of the first things to understand about runway lights, is that they are color coded for a reason. Every runway needs lighting so that it can be easily seen from the sky, but these lights also have meaning. The color that’s meant to signify the end of the runway, where the plans first land, or the takeoff point, is always white. This lets the pilot know they are traveling in the correct decision, but also points them in the right direction for landing. From there it switches to yellow, so that the landing vessel knows that there is limited runway space left, until finally they run into red. Red usually means there is 1,000 feet of runway left, so it’s really time to put the brakes on.
It’s also important to have the right lights for signifying which part of the airway is for which purpose. Most airports feature multiple runways for both landing and taking off, this is important so that you can facilitate all of the plans that are going to and from the location. For that reason, you have to have a visual cue for pilots to know which runway is which. Usually flashing green and yellow lights are used in an alternating pattern to show that each runway is used for a different purpose. These are essential so that you can ensure planes are able to come and go without a problem.
When you’re looking to buy runway lights, you need something heavy duty, so that you can guarantee that they both shine brightly, but also that they can be counted on. This is important, as you need to know that your lights will always be shining where pilots can see them. That means you have to have a suitable light choice. The most common is LED lights, as they are the brightest, as well as most durable type of light. They can stand up to a lot of punishment, and will also be a bright beacon for any aircraft in practically any weather condition.
To actually purchase your runway lights, you’re going to need a specialty store, the best of which can be found online. Websites like AirportSpruce.com are great for ordering all of the hardware that you need to keep your airport running smoothly. Whether you need a new set of lights, or just something to replace a few of your older runway lights, you’ll be able to find exactly what you need.