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Pat_Duncan Certificates/Ratings/Crew Stations: 3. "Answewr To.."Why Cabin Lights Are D..." 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

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Subject      Author      Message Date     ID      Dimming cockpit lights    Bob       07-06-03              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

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