Approach lighting system
An approach lighting system ( ALS ; German approach lighting ) is a lighting system at an airport that is installed in front of the threshold of a runway . It consists of a series of light strips and / or strobe lights.
purpose
With the aid of ALS, pilots can see where the runway is and how the aircraft is oriented towards it in the event of impaired visibility and at night. An ALS is set up at aerodromes at which either instrument approach procedures are in place or the place is approved for VFR night air traffic.
configuration
The ICAO has established certain configurations as standard. The most common form is shown in the graphic. The following additional configurations are also common:
- MALSF: Medium-intensity approach light system with a flashing sequence.
- ALSF-1: Approach light system configuration 1
- ALSF-2: Approach light system configuration 2
- CALVERT I / ICAO-1: ICAO-compliant configuration 1
- CALVERT II / ICAO-2: ICAO-compliant configuration 2
- LDIN: Lead-in lighting
- MALSR: Medium-intensity approach light system with “runway alignment indicator lights”.
- ODALS: Omnidirectional approach light system
- SALS: Short approach light system
- SSALF: Simplified Short approach light system with one flashing sequence
- SSALR: Simplified short approach light system with "Runway alignment indicator lights"
- SSALS: Simplified short approach light system
Trivia
The lead-in lighting , i.e. stroboscopic lights that flash periodically in the direction of approach , is colloquially known as the running rabbit because of their "movement" .
