It seems to me that the rules for light controls are whacko, confusing
and dangerous.
The current rules being
in the Air on the Ground
Red Give way to other Stop
A/C, Continue Circling
Flashing Ldg not permitted Clear Runway
Red
Green Land Take off
Flashing Return for Ldg Taxi
Green
White Does not Apply Return
Alternating Caution Caution
Red / Green
Comments: I have no experience with light signals, Nor am I allowed to
until I meet with the FAA and say that light is Green, that one Red, that
one White. (I’m slightly color blind (ahh, the real reason I’m posting
this)) I hope I don’t screw up the white and green.
It seems flashing anything color in the air can be mis-interpreted (was
that a solid Red, with me bouncing around in this A/C, or a true flashing
Red?)
Alternating Red and Green, Can you say stupid? Talk about asking for a
misinterpretation! How about the regs simply saying, when using light
signals use extreme caution. And if they are unwilling to do this, why
don’t they shine both at the same time, I’m more likely to pick up Red
and Green than Red then Green.
Okay, here’s my proposed new and improved light signals
In the Air On the Ground
Red Ldg not Permitted Stop; or if on Runway
Clear Runway
Green Land Take off
Flashing Does Not Apply Return
Red
Flashing Does Not Apply Taxi
Green
Red and Give way to other Does Not Apply
Green A/C continue Circling
See, I’ve conveniently left out the White Light, Eliminated all flashing
lights in the sky, and the flashing lights on the ground are not
dangerous (currently Pilot could think Stop on the runway as the
controller is trying to tell him to get off of the runway!)
Comments Please before I send this off to our FAA friends.
There are some good reasons for the signals used. The light gun only
has ONE light. It can be either red, green or white as they rotate the
filters. They have a trigger to turn it on and flash it. In actual
practice, the only light signals I have received are red, flashing red,
green, flashing green. Usually just red or green. 90% of the time,
just green! I usually call first, they are looking for me and expecting
me. I usually don’t go into busy fields on lights. They see me, they
know I am coming, they know I have the numbers and know what to do,
they give me the green light, and I do it. No problem.
John
- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -
On Thu, 23 May 1996, Kenneth Spatz wrote:
> It seems to me that the rules for light controls are whacko, confusing
> and dangerous.
> The current rules being
> in the Air on the Ground
> Red Give way to other Stop
> A/C, Continue Circling
> Flashing Ldg not permitted Clear Runway
> Red
> Green Land Take off
> Flashing Return for Ldg Taxi
> Green
> White Does not Apply Return
> Alternating Caution Caution
> Red / Green
> Comments: I have no experience with light signals, Nor am I allowed to
> until I meet with the FAA and say that light is Green, that one Red, that
> one White. (I’m slightly color blind (ahh, the real reason I’m posting
> this)) I hope I don’t screw up the white and green.
> It seems flashing anything color in the air can be mis-interpreted (was
> that a solid Red, with me bouncing around in this A/C, or a true flashing
> Red?)
> Alternating Red and Green, Can you say stupid? Talk about asking for a
> misinterpretation! How about the regs simply saying, when using light
> signals use extreme caution. And if they are unwilling to do this, why
> don’t they shine both at the same time, I’m more likely to pick up Red
> and Green than Red then Green.
> Okay, here’s my proposed new and improved light signals
> In the Air On the Ground
> Red Ldg not Permitted Stop; or if on Runway
> Clear Runway
> Green Land Take off
> Flashing Does Not Apply Return
> Red
> Flashing Does Not Apply Taxi
> Green
> Red and Give way to other Does Not Apply
> Green A/C continue Circling
> See, I’ve conveniently left out the White Light, Eliminated all flashing
> lights in the sky, and the flashing lights on the ground are not
> dangerous (currently Pilot could think Stop on the runway as the
> controller is trying to tell him to get off of the runway!)
> Comments Please before I send this off to our FAA friends.