Beacons/anticollision lights and engines

"RK Henry" wrote in message
...
Actually the FAA means , in the paragraph you cited, that
"operate" means use an airplane in a business or otherwise
have the control of the airplane. It does not mean that the
engine is running.

It means all that and more. It's an all-purpose definition intended to
be plugged into wherever the term is found in the regulations.

Does that mean that regulations that use the word "operate" do not apply to
gliders?

It may be that some aircraft cannot be operated without an engine running,
but a) an aircraft with an engine can have that engine running without the
airplane being "operated", and b) some aircraft can be operated without any
engine, running or otherwise.

It may be a fine line, but the line is there and I see no reason to infer
from the regulation that the starting of an engine necessarily has anything
to do with the operation of anticollision lights.

Pete

Turning beacons on before start was part of "Operation
Lights ON" as an advisory for safety reasons. I have no
problem with that as long as it does not cause harm to the
airplane. At night is required to turn the NAV lights on.
AIM 4-3-23. Use of Aircraft Lights

a. Aircraft position lights are required to be lighted on
aircraft operated on the surface and in flight from sunset
to sunrise. In addition, aircraft equipped with an
anti-collision light system are required to operate that
light system during all types of operations (day and night).
However, during any adverse meteorological conditions, the
pilot-in-command may determine that the anti-collision
lights should be turned off when their light output would
constitute a hazard to safety (14 CFR Section 91.209).
Supplementary strobe lights should be turned off on the
ground when they adversely affect ground personnel or other
pilots, and in flight when there are adverse reflection from
clouds.

b. An aircraft anti-collision light system can use one or
more rotating beacons and/or strobe lights, be colored
either red or white, and have different (higher than
minimum) intensities when compared to other aircraft. Many
aircraft have both a rotating beacon and a strobe light
system.

c. The FAA has a voluntary pilot safety program, Operation
Lights On, to enhance the see-and-avoid concept. Pilots are
encouraged to turn on their landing lights during takeoff;
i.e., either after takeoff clearance has been received or
when beginning takeoff roll. Pilots are further encouraged
to turn on their landing lights when operating below 10,000
feet, day or night, especially when operating within 10
miles of any airport, or in conditions of reduced visibility
and in areas where flocks of birds may be expected, i.e.,
coastal areas, lake areas, around refuse dumps, etc.
Although turning on aircraft lights does enhance the
see-and-avoid concept, pilots should not become complacent
about keeping a sharp lookout for other aircraft. Not all
aircraft are equipped with lights and some pilots may not
have their lights turned on. Aircraft manufacturer's
recommendations for operation of landing lights and
electrical systems should be observed.

d. Prop and jet blast forces generated by large aircraft
have overturned or damaged several smaller aircraft taxiing
behind them. To avoid similar results, and in the interest
of preventing upsets and injuries to ground personnel from
such forces, the FAA recommends that air carriers and
commercial operators turn on their rotating beacons anytime
their aircraft engines are in operation. General aviation
pilots using rotating beacon equipped aircraft are also
encouraged to participate in this program which is designed
to alert others to the potential hazard. Since this is a
voluntary program, exercise caution and do not rely solely
on the rotating beacon as an indication that aircraft
engines are in operation.

e. At the discretion of the pilot-in-command turn on all
external illumination, including landing lights, when
taxiing on, across, or holding in position on any runway.
This increases the conspicuity of the aircraft to
controllers and other pilots approaching to land, taxiing,
or crossing the runway. Pilots should comply with any
equipment operating limitations and consider the effects of
landing and strobe lights on other aircraft in their
vicinity. When cleared for takeoff pilots should turn on any
remaining exterior lights.



AC 91.73

(2) Because adherence to the guidelines in this AC are
voluntary and aircraft equipment

varies, flightcrews are cautioned not to rely solely on the
status of an aircraft's lights to

determine the intentions of the flightcrew of the other
aircraft. Additionally, flightcrews must

remember to comply with operating limitations on the
aircraft's lighting systems.

b. Exterior Lights. To the extent possible and consistent
with aircraft equipage, operating

limitations, and flightcrew procedures, illuminate exterior
lights as follows:

(1) Engines running. Turn on the rotating beacon whenever an
engine is running.

(2) Taxiing. Prior to commencing taxi, turn on navigation,
position, anti-collision, and

logo lights. Strobe lights should not be illuminated during
taxi if they will adversely affect the

vision of other pilots or ground personnel.

(3) Crossing a runway. All exterior lights should be
illuminated when crossing a runway.

(4) Entering the departure runway for takeoff. When entering
a runway to takeoff, or

when taxiing into position and holding for takeoff,
illuminate one or more landing lights and all

other exterior lights. Strobe lights should not be
illuminated if they will adversely affect the

vision of other pilots.

(5) Takeoff. Turn on all remaining landing lights when
takeoff clearance is received or

when commencing takeoff roll at an airport without an
operating control tower.

8. SUMMARY. Taxi operations require constant vigilance by
the entire flightcrew, not just the

pilot taxiing the aircraft. The flightcrew needs to be
continually aware of the movement and location

of other aircraft and ground vehicles on the airport
movement area. Taxi operations require the same

planning, coordination, and proper execution, as do the
other phases of flight operations. Safe

aircraft operations can be accomplished and incidents
eliminated if the flightcrew is properly trained

and correctly accomplishes standard taxi operating
procedures and practices.

/s/

Nicholas A. Sabatini

Director, Flight Standards Service

"RK Henry" wrote in message
...
| It means all that and more. It's an all-purpose definition
intended to
| be plugged into wherever the term is found in the
regulations.
|
| I found a source on AOPA's site. I won't reproduce it
here, but AOPA
| members can search for it as article 352. It says that the
pilot must
| turn on the anti-collision lights whenever he "operates"
[their
| quotes] the aircraft, which means every time he starts the
engine. I
| consider that a fairly authoritative source, though not as
| authoritative as the FAA, of course.
|
| RK Henry
|
| On Sat, 14 Oct 2006 19:09:14 -0500, "Jim Macklin"
| wrote:
|
| Actually the FAA means , in the paragraph you cited, that
| "operate" means use an airplane in a business or
otherwise
| have the control of the airplane. It does not mean that
the
| engine is running.
|
|
| "RK Henry" wrote in message
| .. .
| | On Sat, 14 Oct 2006 20:52:59 +0200, Mxsmanic
|
| | wrote:
| |
| | RK Henry writes:
| |
| | Yes it does. In the excerpt here, "Operate" means
| running the engines.
| |
| | According to whom?
| |
| | 1. In FARs part 1.1, Definitions, "Operate" is defined:
| |
| | "Operate, with respect to aircraft, means use, cause to
| use or
| | authorize to use aircraft, for the purpose (except as
| provided in
| | §91.13 of this chapter) of air navigation including the
| piloting of
| | aircraft, with or without the right of legal control
(as
| owner,
| | lessee, or otherwise)."
| |
| | If you're planning on using the airplane for flying,
I'd
| interpret
| | that as beginning with the moment you turn the key 'til
| the airplane
| | is back in the hangar. I suppose it could exclude
running
| the engine
| | at the shop, since that's not for the purpose of air
| navigation, but
| | the mechanics usually turn on the beacon too.
| |
| | 2. The mention in the AIM about lights isn't
regulatory,
| but it may as
| | well be. It's good operating practice, and a pilot
| ignoring good
| | operating practice could conceivably be caught by the
| catch-all
| | regulation, FAR 91.13, Careless or reckless operation.
| Especially if
| | someone got hurt. And of course, none of us wants
anyone
| to get hurt.
| |
| | Running the anti-collision system is low-cost
insurance.
| Except for
| | cases like not operating strobes around people, it's
| better to just go
| | ahead and use it. It could save someone's life.
| |
| | RK Henry
|