1. Design and Construction
Airport Lighting
Design and Construction
Super-duper prize words of the day… frangibility and conspicuity. Travis will give $50 to the first two students who can define these.
Lexington, KY

2. A Little Bit of History
On Feb. 22, 1921, the U.S. Postal Service conducted a daring night-flying experiment, lighting the transcontinental route with a series of bonfires. Two planes each left New York
and San Francisco with loads of mail for the cross-country run. One of the eastbound planes crashed after takeoff in Elko, Nev., killing the pilot. Both westbound planes got stuck in Chicago by a snowstorm. The pilot of the remaining eastbound plane, Jack Knight, survived the trip, but only through extraordinary heroics.
Source: “A History of Air Traffic Control”
Airfield Lighting Design and Construction

3. A Little Bit of History
Also, in 1921, rotating beacons on towers replaced the bonfires on a segment of the cross country
route through Ohio. By 1923, the Postal Service had installed similar beacons between
Chicago and Cheyenne, Wyoming. This enabled all-night flights across the continent and cut
mail delivery time to 29 hours – two to three days less than it took by train.
Source: “A History of Air Traffic Control”
Airfield Lighting Design and Construction

4. Variety of Lighting Systems at an Airport
Varies greatly for different size airports, different approach categories and military, commercial and general aviation airports
In-pavement
Edge
Navigational Aid (NAVAID)
Navigational Aid (NAVAID)
Airfield Lighting Design and Construction

5. Variety of Lighting Systems at an Airport
Obstruction
Signage
Vault
Rotating Beacon
Airfield Lighting Design and Construction

6. Design Installation Maintenance Airport Lighting Considerations
Varies greatly for different size airports, different approach categories and military, commercial and general aviation airports
Airfield Lighting Design and Construction

7. Airport Lighting Design
FAA Advisory Circulars
Runway
Approach Category
Safety Area
Taxiway
Design Group
Signage
Drainage
Elevated or in-pavement fixtures
Incandescent or LEDs
Frangibility
Electrical Vault
Airfield Lighting Control and Monitoring System (ALCMS)
Airfield Lighting Design and Construction

8. Nominal Setting (Amps) Taxiway L-852C (Measured Values CD)
Airport Lighting Design
FAA Advisory Circular
Operational Flexibility
CCR 5 Step Operation
Current
(Amps)
Photometric Value
Taxiway L-852C
(Measured Values CD) 5
6.6
400 cd 4
5.2
100 cd to 180 cd 3
4.1
20 cd to 40 cd 2
3.4
2.4 cd to 12 cd 1
2.8
0.6 cdto 6.6 cd.
CCR 3 Step Operation
Current Intensity
Nominal Setting (Amps)
Photometric Value
Taxiway L-852C (Measured Values CD) 3
6.6
400 cd 2
5.5
120 cd to 200 cd 1
4.8
40 cd to 80 cd
Step 3 of 5 is “normal” for LEX. Step 5 requires sunglasses at night. Step 3 of 3 is higher than Step 3 of 5. Step 2 of 3 is HIGHER than Step 4 of 5. CCR=constant current regulator cd=candelas
Airfield Lighting Design and Construction

9. Airport Lighting Installation
FAA Advisory Circular
Lighting
Underground Cable
Operational Considerations
Can sections for pavement rehab
Markings
Grooves
Construction Phasing
Safety, safety, safety
Impact to operations
Funding
Airfield Lighting Design and Construction

10. Airport Lighting Maintenance
FAA Advisory Circular
Considerations
Wiring
Cable markers
Tagging
Drainage
Access
Lightning protection
Spare Parts
Airfield operations
Airfield Lighting Design and Construction

11. LEX runway lighting project in 2006 made HEADLINES
Airfield Lighting Design and Construction

12. Airfield lighting became the focus of potential airport LIABILITY
Airfield Lighting Design and Construction

13. SLC Runway 34R-16L Problem: Base cans in the way
Existing Grade
New Grade
Elevation
Base Can Height
Milled Surface
R/W CTL #1
R/W CTL #2
R/W CTL #3
R/W CTL #4
R/W CTL #5
R/W CTL #6
R/W CTL #7
R/W CTL #8
R/W CTL #9
R/W CTL #10
R/W CTL #11
R/W CTL #12
R/W CTL #13
Challenge:
Can’t raise runway too much
Fix runway humps
Overlay as close to 4” as possible
Minimize disruption to operation or number of base cans removed
Airfield Lighting Design and Construction

14. SLC Runway 34R-16L Solution: Revise Profile
Runway slightly raised in certain spots by no more than 1”
Existing Grade
New Grade
Elevation
Milled Surface
Base Can Height
R/W CTL #1
R/W CTL #2
R/W CTL #3
R/W CTL #4
R/W CTL #5
R/W CTL #6
R/W CTL #7
R/W CTL #8
R/W CTL #9
R/W CTL #10
R/W CTL #11
R/W CTL #12
R/W CTL #13
Result:
Schedule impact significantly reduced
350 fewer cans were removed, approximately $400k savings
Efficient milling operation
Airfield Lighting Design and Construction

15. Design, Construction, Maintenance and Functional Considerations
Airport Markings:
Design, Construction, Maintenance and Functional Considerations
Lexington, KY

16. Markings and Purpose
Provide directional guidance to pilots and ground vehicles
Distinguish between surfaces
Identify boundaries between “protected” and “non-protected” areas
Airfield Markings Design, Construction, Maintenance, Function

17. Common Markings at Airports Snapshot of Compliance
Airfield Markings Design, Construction, Maintenance, Function

18. Enhanced Conspicuity …yeah, it’s a government term
Airfield Markings Design, Construction, Maintenance, Function

19. Maintenance and Strategic Planning Considerations
Airfield Markings Design, Construction, Maintenance, Function

20. QUESTIONS?
Lexington, KY