by Kevin Mitchell
One of the fastest and hence most popular transport means is the use of an aircraft. The risk of collusion with buildings and other structures like radio masts is imminent. One thing that tries to reduce this risk is the aircraft warning lights on buildings together with other soaring threats of impact.
Each of these apparatus has standards that act as rule for certain characteristics that govern the location, size, intensity, beam pattern and color of lights. These standards vary from place to place and are synchronized by local and internationally provided standards. This is how a veteran pilot can tell the location they are in by just looking at these lights.
There is no single standard giving mandatory requirements governing the design and installation of lights. The most widespread and commonly used regulations are those of the International Civil Aviation Organization and The Federal Aviation Administration. The International Civil Aviation Organization is specialized agencies in the United Nations while the Federal Aviation Administration an agency in the United States Department of Transport.
There are various types of warning lights each has special feature and area intended for use. Obstruction lights use red lamps use incandescent filament bulbs or an array of a high power red LED to constantly light obstructions during the night. High intensity white strobes are used during the day to make obstacles more visible,
A merge of the two makes for a very effective warning system. This is because it gives an all time protection mechanism. The red lamps are used when there is no sunlight and the strobes during nightfall. In the offset chance that one of this light burns the other one can be used to compensate until the latter is fixed.
The caution lamps have many merits. They prevent collisions involving planes and buildings hence saving lives. In times of hard visibility they help pilots see obstacles in their way so as to give them time to change course and avoid crashing into them. There is no need worry about blackouts as they have their own source of power hence will stay on. For those that use alternative sources of power they will reduce pollution.
There also demerits of utilizing this lamps. Because this they are majorly dependant on the ability of pilots to see them or not, there is an aspect of dependency. Intense weather such as heavy fog may also prevent the illumination of a lamp from reaching the pilot. If there power source is a generator using fossil fuel it may increase the carbon foot print in the area. They also harm flying animals that may collide with them as a result of confusion. The irritation of light pollution from the beacons is yet another major demerit. Because they are machines they also have the risk of shutting down at any moment without notice.
It is clear that the advantages are more than the disadvantages. Although they may be an old warning system, they have saved countless lives. They continue to help in the safe navigation through densely populated areas. With all the new advances in technology they may one day be an outdated system but for now they are used all over the world.
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