AFL essentials

Airfield lighting is a specialist’s field

Lighting on airfields is fundamental for ensuring safe landings and take-offs at night and in poor weather conditions. Whether an aerodrome operates a legacy system or one of the latest energy efficient LED systems, airfield lighting (AFL) is critical to safe aviation operations. As part of the AAA’s commitment to continue delivering resources to the industry that encourage knowledge sharing and improve best practice, we endeavoured to develop a guidance document on airfield lighting. In late 2016 in conjunction with our National Conference, the AAA was very pleased to be able to launch its new Airport Practice Note – Airfield Lighting Essentials. 

This Airport Practice Note is designed to assist aerodrome operators to obtain a basic overview of airfield lighting systems. It is not intended to be an in depth ‘how to’ manual for airfield lighting, rather the document is designed to provide an introduction for people working on airports that require an understanding of airfield lighting as a system. The target audience is airport managers and other personnel who have not received specialist training on AFL systems but still require a basic knowledge of the system and its components.