British Airways A321 G-EUXH sorvola un sistema di illuminazione Approach a Londra Heathrow. ALS è un sistema di sicurezza per l'atterraggio. Aiuti allo sbarco. Cielo blu
2656 x 3999 px | 22,5 x 33,9 cm | 8,9 x 13,3 inches | 300dpi
Data acquisizione:
19 gennaio 2014
Ubicazione:
Heathrow, London, UK
Altre informazioni:
An approach lighting system, or ALS, is a lighting system installed on the approach end of an airport runway and consisting of a series of lightbars, strobe lights, or a combination of the two that extends outward from the runway end. ALS usually serves a runway that has an instrument approach procedure (IAP) associated with it and allows the pilot to visually identify the runway environment and align the aircraft with the runway upon arriving at a prescribed point on an approach. The first fixed runway lighting possibly appeared in 1930 at Cleveland Municipal Airport (now known as Cleveland Hopkins International Airport) in Cleveland, Ohio. But it was suitable only clear night or days. Modern approach lighting systems are highly complex in their design and significantly enhance the safety of aircraft operations, particularly in conditions of reduced visibility. The earliest approach lighting systems were far removed from the current sophisticated generation of ALS's and were developed before/during World War II. They were commonly referred to as the Flare Path, the name being derived from the fact often flares were burned alongside the runway to provide the pilot with an illuminated reference for approach and landing where an electrical system had not yet been installed. The required minimum visibility for instrument approaches is influenced by the presence and type of approach lighting system. In the U.S., a CAT I ILS approach without approach lights will have a minimum required visibility of 3/4 mile, or 4000 foot runway visual range. With a 1400 foot or longer approach light system, the minimum potential visibility might be reduced to 1/2 mile (2400 runway visual range), and the presence of touchdown zone and centerline lights with a suitable approach light system might further reduce the visibility to 3/8 mile (1800 feet runway visual range). The runway lighting is controlled by the air traffic control tower. Here British Airways A321 G-EUXH flies over ALS
