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Defining Obstruction Lighting and Explaining Its Significance in the Aviation Industry!
Posted: May 15, 2016
According to the International Civil Association Organization (ICAO), any structure that towers above 200 meters from the ground level needs to have an obstruction lighting fixture. This lighting makes the structure visible to aircrafts during the night. The lights have high-intensity illumination, such that aircrafts can spot them from miles away. Visible structures alleviate the instances of collision, especially if they rise high above the ground level and they are in the flight path.
In most cases, the obstruction lamps used are red and white in color. The light intensity of the illumination depends on the purpose of these fixtures. The red fixtures can have a constant glowing mechanism or a gradual dimming and lighting process, which provides a flashing red light, which is recognizable by the pilots. Other types of aircraft warning lights include the red beacons and, the high and low intensity lights. Most aviation regulations restrict the use of red lamps to nighttime only.
The function of the obstruction lighting on any structure depends on the function and the location of the structure. Some of the lights only light during the night, so that they can remain visible to the pilots flying in that path to avoid collision.
In addition, some lighting fixtures illuminate white light during the day, and maintain white illumination at night. Moreover, some lights illuminate white light during the day, but change the color at night to red. Finally, there are lights installed on the wind turbine farms, which also illuminate red light at night, which act as warning lights to approaching aircrafts.
Fundamentally, there are many factors that you should consider when choosing the right obstruct light for any structure. The first thing you need to consider is the height of the structure, because it will determine the type of lighting fixture you need to use. For instance, a tower requires specialized lighting fixture, which will provide red illumination at night.
At the same time, you can choose to paint the tower using aviation colors, which are aviation orange and white and install red lights that will illuminate during nighttime only. Alternatively, you can use dual lighting systems, which will work during daytime and nighttime.
When you are choosing the right fixture to use as obstruction light, it is imperative to consider the maintenance cost, as well as the durability of the fixture. It is worth noting that obstruction lights are challenging to install, because of the height of the structures. Therefore, you will require a fixture that does not require regular replacement.
Moreover, you will also consider the durability of the lamp, because it will be exposed to extreme weather conditions. That is why LED obstruction lighting fixtures are becoming common in the aviation industry. It can withstand harsh weather conditions and it does not require frequent maintenance or replacement.
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