Why are runway lights white, taxiway lights blue and airport lights rotating green and white beacon lights?

Why are runway lights white, taxiway lights blue and airport lights rotating green and white beacon lights?

PROF WAQAR HUSSAIN

 

           

A runway is rectangular area on land usually paved for the landing and take-off of air craft. Runway lights are white because white is the brightest colour and no colour is filtered out of white light. Thus enables pilot to see runway clearly even in bad weather.

            

       A taxiway is a usually paved path on an airport connecting runways with ramps, hangers, terminals and other facilities. Taxiway lights are blue as red is commonly used for warning colour and green is sometimes used to indicate direction. So, blue lights were only available for taxiway and were also not distracting.

          

      Airports have rotating beacon lights flashing green and white to indicate civilian air port. These beacon lights are visible from a far distance before the air port is recognizable.

           To facilitate the pilot at night, green threshold lights line the runway edges. Red light marks the end of runway. Blue lights run alongside taxiways, while runways have white or yellow lights marking their edges. All these markings and lights facilitate the pilot and ensure safety of landing and take-off.