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Original Message
"Cabin lights"
Posted by Bob on 01-17-03 at 23:34z

I have just returned from Spain and as usual the cabin lights were turned down for landing in accordance with flight regulations.

Can someone tell me why the lights have to be dimmed. Is it because of possible reflections affecting the flight crew or to reduce the risk of fire in an accident?

I have always just accepted that lights are dimmed for landing but would really appreciate knowing why!

Regards to all.

Bob Buckley
Coventry
UK

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Messages in this discussion
"RE: Cabin lights"
Posted by Ben_Chiu on 01-18-03 at 19:43z
Greetings Bob:

> I have just returned from Spain and as usual the cabin lights were
> turned down for landing in accordance with flight regulations.
>
> Can someone tell me why the lights have to be dimmed. Is it because of
> possible reflections affecting the flight crew or to reduce the risk of
> fire in an accident?
>
> I have always just accepted that lights are dimmed for landing but would
> really appreciate knowing why!

It sounds like the "flight regulations" you're referring to are company policies rather than FAA regulations. I don't know of any FAA regulation that requires the cabin lights to be dimmed prior to landing.

HTH,


Ben


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"RE: Cabin lights"
Posted by Bob on 01-19-03 at 12:17z
Hi Ben

Thanks for the reply. Over here in the UK we have the CAA
(Civil Aviation Authority)who do the same job as the FAA.
Perhaps it is one of their regulations as all airlines seem to do it. It would appear the reasons have been lost on the mists of time as I expected quite a few people to respond to this question.


Kind regards

Bob

"RE: Cabin lights"
Posted by Ben_Chiu on 01-19-03 at 20:08z
Greetings Bob:

> Perhaps it is one of their regulations as all airlines seem to do it. It
> would appear the reasons have been lost on the mists of time as I
> expected quite a few people to respond to this question.

While there's no technical reason for dimming the lights after all have boarded the aircraft and you're getting ready for pushback, I do know that dimming the lights has a way for controlling the passengers. It's much like turning down the lights in a movie house--in an airplane, when the lights go down, folks tend to hush up and sit in their seats! :)

Best!

Ben


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