First, the stopway lights — Page 434, Lesson 582

Let’s pick up right where we left off — we’ve just finished the runway lighting, and now I want to walk you through the remaining runway aids and then move into taxiway lighting. First, the stopway lights. A stopway is that area beyond the end of the runway, and when it’s intended for use at night, we put stopway lights along its full length. These lights are fixed, they’re variable intensity, and they’re unidirectional — meaning they only show in one direction — and that direction is red, pointing back toward the runway. So if you’re on the runway looking down the stopway, you see red. Next, runway lead-in lights. These provide visual guidance along a specific approach path, guiding the aircraft until the runway approach lighting comes into view. The system can be curved, straight, or a combination of both. They’re made up of groups of at least three flashing white lights, and where practical, each group should flash in sequence toward the runway — so the light appears to chase its way down to the threshold. Then we have circling guidance lights. These are provided when the existing approach and runway lighting don’t let a pilot identify the runway during a circling approach to land. They may be fixed or flashing, and they’re white. Now we move into taxiway lighting. The application here is that taxiway lighting gives pilots guidance and information while taxiing to and from the runway. It consists of four elements: centre line lights, edge lights, guard lights, and stop lights at holding points. Let’s focus on taxiway edge lighting. These lights are provided along the edges of holding bays, de/anti-icing facilities, aprons, and similar areas. They’re intended for use at night on taxiways that don’t have taxiway centre line lighting. But here’s an important condition: if sufficient alternative illumination is available — for example, stadium lighting — then the edge lights may be dispensed with. Also, where a runway forms part of a standard taxi route intended for use at night, and no taxiway centre line lighting exists, edge lights must be provided. As for the lights themselves: taxiway edge lights are fixed, variable intensity, and omni-directional — meaning they shine in all directions — and they’re blue. So the key contrast to remember: runway edge lights are white, but taxiway edge lights are blue. And the stopway lights are red and unidirectional, while taxiway edge lights are blue and omni-directional. Now, I want to show you the arrangement of runway and taxiway lighting together, so you can see how all these elements fit on the aerodrome. That’s the full picture of the runway and taxiway lighting system.