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Thread Number: 3
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Original Message
"Dimming cockpit lights"
Posted by Bob on 07-06-03 at 10:37z
Hello

On many Airlines lights are dimmed at night prior to landing. I cannot see the reason for this and wondered what safety issues this addressed.

I did post this question in the FS forum but did not get any comments.

I am sure there is a good reason but would like to know what it is.

Kind regards

Bob

Table of contents
Messages in this discussion
"RE: Dimming cockpit lights"
Posted by Ben_Chiu on 07-10-03 at 19:31z
Greetings Bob:

> On many Airlines lights are dimmed at night prior to landing. I cannot
> see the reason for this and wondered what safety issues this addressed.
>
> I did post this question in the FS forum but did not get any comments.
>
> I am sure there is a good reason but would like to know what it is.

This thread should probably be renamed to "Dimming cabiin lights". It's pretty obvious that dimming the cockpit lights during night operations helps increase visibility outside, but that's not what you're getting at if I understand your question properly.

Mark's away right now, but I'm sure he'll chime in when he finds this thread..

Ben


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"RE: Dimming cockpit lights"
Posted by Bob on 07-13-03 at 19:46z
Hi Ben

You are spot on. I did of course mean cabin lights.

Must have got carried away in the dark!

Cheers

Bob

"Answewr To.."Why Cabin Lights Are Dimmed On Air Carrier A/C""
Posted by Pat_Duncan on 08-04-03 at 20:40z
Bob....

I apologize for not getting right back to you with an answer to your excellent question... "Why Are Cabin Lights Dimmed On Air Carrier A/C"... but have been chasing alligators (so to speak) lately. Finally caught one and didn't know exactly what to do. So am now catching up with "Forum" questions.

Yes you are right there is a definite and very good reason I might add.... as to why air carriers dim cabin lighting several minutes prior to night landings. And that reason is most definitely "Safety" related.

Under normal approach and landing conditions cabin lights are dimmed several minutes prior to landing to allow time for pupil's of passenger's and cabin attendant's eyes to sufficiently adjust (dilate) to a darkened environment so that cabin occupants would have an adequate level of acclimated night vision during an emergency situation that might require location of emergency exits, slide evacuation and subsequent foot navigation on the ground.... all of which would occur in a darkened (and possibly smoke obscured)environment.

Of particular safety concern is the importance that passengers be able to locate and follow the low light level cabin floor lighting strips leading to emergency exits as well as other low level lighted emergency exit signs and cabin attendant flashlights... all of which could be partially obscured by smoke, dust or debris in event of a high impact landing. In this situation the eyes need all the "light gathering" ability they possess....and that can only happen if cabin occupants eyes have been "pre-conditioned" for night vision in a darkened environment prior to landing.

I hope this adequately answers your excellent question.

Bob...Thanks so much for participating in the "Flight Adventures Aviation Safety Forum".... I promise I will be more prudent with future answers in the future.

If you, your friends or other "Forum" users have questions on any aspect of "Aviation Safety"... fire away and I'll do the very best I can to answer them for you.

Kindest Regards,

Pat Duncan - Aviation Safety Consultant