![]() ![]() A KLM Boeing 747 accelerating on its takeoff run hit another taxiing Boeing 747 in Tenerife, Spain. The deadliest aviation disaster of all time did not happen in flight, it happened on the ground in low visibility. Situational awareness is critical even when the aircraft is on the ground. You’ll also avoid collisions with airport structures such as ramp lights or hanger walls. Keeping the nosewheel on the centerline ensures clearance between parked aircraft and the taxiing aircraft’s wingtips and tail. Many aircraft are so long that their wings are not visible from the cockpit. All ramp areas have designated taxi routes which are designed to maintain clearance between taxiing aircraft and obstacles on the ground. Terminal areas and aprons are often brightly lit with floodlights, however, pilots are not allowed to maneuver the aircraft freely through the ramp. Taxiway lighting isn’t only useful at night, it’s also helpful during the daytime when the airport is experiencing inclement weather with low visibility. Taxiway lighting helps pilots have a clear idea of where the centerline and the edges of the taxiway are. You can imagine the consequences of an approaching aircraft mistakenly lining up with a taxiway instead of a runway. The contrast between the runway and taxiway lighting is deliberate. ![]() Taxiway lighting is a lot more subdued than runway lighting but is equally intricate in its layout and design. The active runway will also be lit up like a Christmas tree. If you fly over an airport at night, you’ll see the terminal and apron areas brightly lit with floodlights. ![]()
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