Printer-friendly version of this topic Bookmark this topic (Registered users only)		Previous Topic | Next Topic
VPC Forums Aviation Safety
Original message

Bob Certificates/Ratings/Crew Stations: "Dimming cockpit lights" 07-06-03, 10:37z  Hello On many Airlines lights are dimmed at night prior to landing. I cannot see the reason for this and wondered what safety issues this addressed. I did post this question in the FS forum but did not get any comments. I am sure there is a good reason but would like to know what it is. Kind regards Bob Alert Edit | Reply | Reply With Quote | Top

Table of Contents

Subject      Author      Message Date     ID      RE: Dimming cockpit lights Ben_Chiu 07-10-03 1    RE: Dimming cockpit lights Bob 07-13-03 2   Answewr To.."Why Cabin Lights Are D... Pat_Duncan 08-04-03 3

Forums | Topics | Previous Topic | Next Topic

Messages in this topic

Ben_Chiu Certificates/Ratings/Crew Stations: 1. "RE: Dimming cockpit lights" 07-10-03, 19:31z  Greetings Bob: > On many Airlines lights are dimmed at night prior to landing. I cannot > see the reason for this and wondered what safety issues this addressed. > > I did post this question in the FS forum but did not get any comments. > > I am sure there is a good reason but would like to know what it is. This thread should probably be renamed to "Dimming cabiin lights". It's pretty obvious that dimming the cockpit lights during night operations helps increase visibility outside, but that's not what you're getting at if I understand your question properly. Mark's away right now, but I'm sure he'll chime in when he finds this thread.. Ben -= VPC OffLine Reader 2.1 =- Registered to: Ben Chiu -OLR.PL v1.80- Remove | Alert Edit | Reply | Reply With Quote | Top

Bob Certificates/Ratings/Crew Stations: 2. "RE: Dimming cockpit lights" 07-13-03, 19:46z  Hi Ben You are spot on. I did of course mean cabin lights. Must have got carried away in the dark! Cheers Bob Remove | Alert Edit | Reply | Reply With Quote | Top

Pat_Duncan Certificates/Ratings/Crew Stations: 3. "Answewr To.."Why Cabin Lights Are Dimmed On Air Carrier A/C"" 08-04-03, 20:40z  Bob.... I apologize for not getting right back to you with an answer to your excellent question... "Why Are Cabin Lights Dimmed On Air Carrier A/C"... but have been chasing alligators (so to speak) lately. Finally caught one and didn't know exactly what to do. So am now catching up with "Forum" questions. Yes you are right there is a definite and very good reason I might add.... as to why air carriers dim cabin lighting several minutes prior to night landings. And that reason is most definitely "Safety" related. Under normal approach and landing conditions cabin lights are dimmed several minutes prior to landing to allow time for pupil's of passenger's and cabin attendant's eyes to sufficiently adjust (dilate) to a darkened environment so that cabin occupants would have an adequate level of acclimated night vision during an emergency situation that might require location of emergency exits, slide evacuation and subsequent foot navigation on the ground.... all of which would occur in a darkened (and possibly smoke obscured)environment. Of particular safety concern is the importance that passengers be able to locate and follow the low light level cabin floor lighting strips leading to emergency exits as well as other low level lighted emergency exit signs and cabin attendant flashlights... all of which could be partially obscured by smoke, dust or debris in event of a high impact landing. In this situation the eyes need all the "light gathering" ability they possess....and that can only happen if cabin occupants eyes have been "pre-conditioned" for night vision in a darkened environment prior to landing. I hope this adequately answers your excellent question. Bob...Thanks so much for participating in the "Flight Adventures Aviation Safety Forum".... I promise I will be more prudent with future answers in the future. If you, your friends or other "Forum" users have questions on any aspect of "Aviation Safety"... fire away and I'll do the very best I can to answer them for you. Kindest Regards, Pat Duncan - Aviation Safety Consultant Remove | Alert Edit | Reply | Reply With Quote | Top

Lock | Archive | Remove

Forums | Topics | Previous Topic | Next Topic

Select another Forum ===================== FlightAdventures Virtual Pilot Center™ (Forums)   |--FSFORUM   |--Aerobatics and Air Shows   |--The Future for GA   |--Airframes and Powerplants   |--Airlines and Airliners   |--Fighters and Warbirds   |--Flight Training   |--Aviation Safety   |--File Library - Upload, Search, and Download   |--VPC Tech