Lights intensity control of airfield lighting system during operation

Abstract

The paper presents the results of analysis the potential to utilize the dual light intensity reserve incorporated into the design of airfield lighting system. National and international regulatory and technical standards concerning failure criteria for airfield lights were examined, alongside the relationship between runway visibility range, light intensity, and other influencing factors. ICAO standard and recommended practices give the requirements to all parameters of airfield lights,  including isocandela diagrams to different airfield lighting subsystems as well as the dependences between lights’ life time and electric current in the power supply system. The analysis of these diagrams gives the possibility to come up with a conclusion about the feasibility of leveraging the dual light intensity reserve in airfield lights.

Based on the analysis, the possibility of managing the light intensity of airfield lights according to their operational life time is substantiated. The results of experimental studies on the relationship between the light intensity of airfield lights with halogen sources and their operational life time are presented, along with analytical expressions describing this dependence. Experimental findings indicate the feasibility of reducing the constant current regulator current for new airfield lights, followed by a gradual increase from 90 to 100 percent of the nominal value over an average operational period of up to 10 years. The proposed approach demonstrates advantages, including extending the life time of airfield lights with metal-halide light sources, conserving electrical energy, and reducing risks during the visual piloting phase of aircraft under adverse and normal meteorological conditions, both day and night. Future research prospects include conducting similar studies on airfield lights equipped with LED light sources.