Mixing
Can small planes see lights on the ground?
Clash Royale CLAN TAG#URR8PPP
up vote
8
down vote
favorite
I live about 5 miles from a small airport. At night, during rain or snow storms when I imagine there would be poor visibility, I always turn our outside house lights on, in case they could possibly help a little plane in distress. Am I crazy?
weather
asked Sep 6 at 20:51
Christian DeVito
434
New contributor
Christian DeVito is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
add a comment |Â
up vote
8
down vote
favorite
I live about 5 miles from a small airport. At night, during rain or snow storms when I imagine there would be poor visibility, I always turn our outside house lights on, in case they could possibly help a little plane in distress. Am I crazy?
weather
asked Sep 6 at 20:51
Christian DeVito
434
New contributor
Christian DeVito is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
3
You're not crazy, you're considerate. Thanks for thinking about people in little planes.
– Dan Pichelman
Sep 7 at 13:56
Thank you, Dan.
– Christian DeVito
Sep 7 at 17:10
1
This might be a nice gesture and the fact that you think about things like that shows your keen to learn. BUT it really is not neccessary! If visibility is an issue, the pilot is/should be flying IFR anyway. Reducing your power consumption might help the planet more...
– Julian Bernhuber
Sep 7 at 20:22
Thanks, I appreciate that. I won't do it anymore.
– Christian DeVito
Sep 8 at 0:12
add a comment |Â
up vote
8
down vote
favorite
up vote
8
down vote
favorite
I live about 5 miles from a small airport. At night, during rain or snow storms when I imagine there would be poor visibility, I always turn our outside house lights on, in case they could possibly help a little plane in distress. Am I crazy?
weather
asked Sep 6 at 20:51
Christian DeVito
434
New contributor
Christian DeVito is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
I live about 5 miles from a small airport. At night, during rain or snow storms when I imagine there would be poor visibility, I always turn our outside house lights on, in case they could possibly help a little plane in distress. Am I crazy?
weather
asked Sep 6 at 20:51
Christian DeVito
434
New contributor
Christian DeVito is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
asked Sep 6 at 20:51
Christian DeVito
434
New contributor
Christian DeVito is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
asked Sep 6 at 20:51
Christian DeVito
434
asked Sep 6 at 20:51
Christian DeVito
434
434
New contributor
Christian DeVito is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
New contributor
Christian DeVito is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
Christian DeVito is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
3
You're not crazy, you're considerate. Thanks for thinking about people in little planes.
– Dan Pichelman
Sep 7 at 13:56
Thank you, Dan.
– Christian DeVito
Sep 7 at 17:10
1
This might be a nice gesture and the fact that you think about things like that shows your keen to learn. BUT it really is not neccessary! If visibility is an issue, the pilot is/should be flying IFR anyway. Reducing your power consumption might help the planet more...
– Julian Bernhuber
Sep 7 at 20:22
Thanks, I appreciate that. I won't do it anymore.
– Christian DeVito
Sep 8 at 0:12
add a comment |Â
3
You're not crazy, you're considerate. Thanks for thinking about people in little planes.
– Dan Pichelman
Sep 7 at 13:56
Thank you, Dan.
– Christian DeVito
Sep 7 at 17:10
1
This might be a nice gesture and the fact that you think about things like that shows your keen to learn. BUT it really is not neccessary! If visibility is an issue, the pilot is/should be flying IFR anyway. Reducing your power consumption might help the planet more...
– Julian Bernhuber
Sep 7 at 20:22
Thanks, I appreciate that. I won't do it anymore.
– Christian DeVito
Sep 8 at 0:12
3
3
You're not crazy, you're considerate. Thanks for thinking about people in little planes.
– Dan Pichelman
Sep 7 at 13:56
You're not crazy, you're considerate. Thanks for thinking about people in little planes.
– Dan Pichelman
Sep 7 at 13:56
Thank you, Dan.
– Christian DeVito
Sep 7 at 17:10
Thank you, Dan.
– Christian DeVito
Sep 7 at 17:10
1
1
This might be a nice gesture and the fact that you think about things like that shows your keen to learn. BUT it really is not neccessary! If visibility is an issue, the pilot is/should be flying IFR anyway. Reducing your power consumption might help the planet more...
– Julian Bernhuber
Sep 7 at 20:22
This might be a nice gesture and the fact that you think about things like that shows your keen to learn. BUT it really is not neccessary! If visibility is an issue, the pilot is/should be flying IFR anyway. Reducing your power consumption might help the planet more...
– Julian Bernhuber
Sep 7 at 20:22
Thanks, I appreciate that. I won't do it anymore.
– Christian DeVito
Sep 8 at 0:12
Thanks, I appreciate that. I won't do it anymore.
– Christian DeVito
Sep 8 at 0:12
add a comment |Â
2 Answers
2
active
oldest
votes
up vote
5
down vote
accepted
They can see your lights, but they don't help. "Black hole" approaches (where there aren't any lights on the ground except for the runway) can be difficult and unnerving, but even if that's the case for that airport, one set of house lights isn't going to appreciably affect the situation.
answered Sep 6 at 21:27
Ralgha
2,6051321
Thank you, Ralgha. I won't do it again.
– Christian DeVito
Sep 7 at 17:10
1
It doesn't hurt either, and I must disagree with the other answer in that respect. If someone confuses house lights for runway lights, they need more practice and shouldn't be flying hard IFR at night.
– Ralgha
Sep 8 at 18:04
add a comment |Â
up vote
6
down vote
Yes we can see lights on the ground from small planes, but your extra lights do not help approaching aircraft. If anything they may serve to disorient pilots. In low visibility situations, provided the pilot is properly rated and the aircraft is properly equipped they may be flying IFR. Under these types of operations when popping out of the clouds we may be looking for runway lighting. Other lights on the ground can (and have been) confused for runway lights in the past.
answered Sep 6 at 21:27
Dave
56.5k3101207
Thanks, Dave. I'm glad I asked.
– Christian DeVito
Sep 7 at 17:11
add a comment |Â
2 Answers
2
active
oldest
votes
2 Answers
2
active
oldest
votes
active
oldest
votes
active
oldest
votes
up vote
5
down vote
accepted
They can see your lights, but they don't help. "Black hole" approaches (where there aren't any lights on the ground except for the runway) can be difficult and unnerving, but even if that's the case for that airport, one set of house lights isn't going to appreciably affect the situation.
answered Sep 6 at 21:27
Ralgha
2,6051321
Thank you, Ralgha. I won't do it again.
– Christian DeVito
Sep 7 at 17:10
1
It doesn't hurt either, and I must disagree with the other answer in that respect. If someone confuses house lights for runway lights, they need more practice and shouldn't be flying hard IFR at night.
– Ralgha
Sep 8 at 18:04
add a comment |Â
up vote
5
down vote
accepted
They can see your lights, but they don't help. "Black hole" approaches (where there aren't any lights on the ground except for the runway) can be difficult and unnerving, but even if that's the case for that airport, one set of house lights isn't going to appreciably affect the situation.
answered Sep 6 at 21:27
Ralgha
2,6051321
Thank you, Ralgha. I won't do it again.
– Christian DeVito
Sep 7 at 17:10
1
It doesn't hurt either, and I must disagree with the other answer in that respect. If someone confuses house lights for runway lights, they need more practice and shouldn't be flying hard IFR at night.
– Ralgha
Sep 8 at 18:04
add a comment |Â
up vote
5
down vote
accepted
up vote
5
down vote
accepted
They can see your lights, but they don't help. "Black hole" approaches (where there aren't any lights on the ground except for the runway) can be difficult and unnerving, but even if that's the case for that airport, one set of house lights isn't going to appreciably affect the situation.
answered Sep 6 at 21:27
Ralgha
2,6051321
They can see your lights, but they don't help. "Black hole" approaches (where there aren't any lights on the ground except for the runway) can be difficult and unnerving, but even if that's the case for that airport, one set of house lights isn't going to appreciably affect the situation.
answered Sep 6 at 21:27
Ralgha
2,6051321
answered Sep 6 at 21:27
Ralgha
2,6051321
answered Sep 6 at 21:27
Ralgha
2,6051321
answered Sep 6 at 21:27
Ralgha
2,6051321
2,6051321
Thank you, Ralgha. I won't do it again.
– Christian DeVito
Sep 7 at 17:10
1
It doesn't hurt either, and I must disagree with the other answer in that respect. If someone confuses house lights for runway lights, they need more practice and shouldn't be flying hard IFR at night.
– Ralgha
Sep 8 at 18:04
add a comment |Â
Thank you, Ralgha. I won't do it again.
– Christian DeVito
Sep 7 at 17:10
1
It doesn't hurt either, and I must disagree with the other answer in that respect. If someone confuses house lights for runway lights, they need more practice and shouldn't be flying hard IFR at night.
– Ralgha
Sep 8 at 18:04
Thank you, Ralgha. I won't do it again.
– Christian DeVito
Sep 7 at 17:10
Thank you, Ralgha. I won't do it again.
– Christian DeVito
Sep 7 at 17:10
1
1
It doesn't hurt either, and I must disagree with the other answer in that respect. If someone confuses house lights for runway lights, they need more practice and shouldn't be flying hard IFR at night.
– Ralgha
Sep 8 at 18:04
It doesn't hurt either, and I must disagree with the other answer in that respect. If someone confuses house lights for runway lights, they need more practice and shouldn't be flying hard IFR at night.
– Ralgha
Sep 8 at 18:04
add a comment |Â
up vote
6
down vote
Yes we can see lights on the ground from small planes, but your extra lights do not help approaching aircraft. If anything they may serve to disorient pilots. In low visibility situations, provided the pilot is properly rated and the aircraft is properly equipped they may be flying IFR. Under these types of operations when popping out of the clouds we may be looking for runway lighting. Other lights on the ground can (and have been) confused for runway lights in the past.
answered Sep 6 at 21:27
Dave
56.5k3101207
Thanks, Dave. I'm glad I asked.
– Christian DeVito
Sep 7 at 17:11
add a comment |Â
up vote
6
down vote
Yes we can see lights on the ground from small planes, but your extra lights do not help approaching aircraft. If anything they may serve to disorient pilots. In low visibility situations, provided the pilot is properly rated and the aircraft is properly equipped they may be flying IFR. Under these types of operations when popping out of the clouds we may be looking for runway lighting. Other lights on the ground can (and have been) confused for runway lights in the past.
answered Sep 6 at 21:27
Dave
56.5k3101207
Thanks, Dave. I'm glad I asked.
– Christian DeVito
Sep 7 at 17:11
add a comment |Â
up vote
6
down vote
up vote
6
down vote
Yes we can see lights on the ground from small planes, but your extra lights do not help approaching aircraft. If anything they may serve to disorient pilots. In low visibility situations, provided the pilot is properly rated and the aircraft is properly equipped they may be flying IFR. Under these types of operations when popping out of the clouds we may be looking for runway lighting. Other lights on the ground can (and have been) confused for runway lights in the past.
answered Sep 6 at 21:27
Dave
56.5k3101207
Yes we can see lights on the ground from small planes, but your extra lights do not help approaching aircraft. If anything they may serve to disorient pilots. In low visibility situations, provided the pilot is properly rated and the aircraft is properly equipped they may be flying IFR. Under these types of operations when popping out of the clouds we may be looking for runway lighting. Other lights on the ground can (and have been) confused for runway lights in the past.
answered Sep 6 at 21:27
Dave
56.5k3101207
answered Sep 6 at 21:27
Dave
56.5k3101207
answered Sep 6 at 21:27
Dave
56.5k3101207
answered Sep 6 at 21:27
Dave
56.5k3101207
56.5k3101207
Thanks, Dave. I'm glad I asked.
– Christian DeVito
Sep 7 at 17:11
add a comment |Â
Thanks, Dave. I'm glad I asked.
– Christian DeVito
Sep 7 at 17:11
Thanks, Dave. I'm glad I asked.
– Christian DeVito
Sep 7 at 17:11
Thanks, Dave. I'm glad I asked.
– Christian DeVito
Sep 7 at 17:11
add a comment |Â
Christian DeVito is a new contributor. Be nice, and check out our Code of Conduct.
Christian DeVito is a new contributor. Be nice, and check out our Code of Conduct.
Christian DeVito is a new contributor. Be nice, and check out our Code of Conduct.
Christian DeVito is a new contributor. Be nice, and check out our Code of Conduct.
Sign up or log in
StackExchange.ready(function ()
StackExchange.helpers.onClickDraftSave('#login-link');
);
Sign up using Google
Sign up using Facebook
Sign up using Email and Password
Post as a guest
StackExchange.ready(
function ()
StackExchange.openid.initPostLogin('.new-post-login', 'https%3a%2f%2faviation.stackexchange.com%2fquestions%2f54877%2fcan-small-planes-see-lights-on-the-ground%23new-answer', 'question_page');
);
Post as a guest
Sign up or log in
StackExchange.ready(function ()
StackExchange.helpers.onClickDraftSave('#login-link');
);
Sign up using Google
Sign up using Facebook
Sign up using Email and Password
Post as a guest
Sign up or log in
StackExchange.ready(function ()
StackExchange.helpers.onClickDraftSave('#login-link');
);
Sign up using Google
Sign up using Facebook
Sign up using Email and Password
Post as a guest
Sign up or log in
StackExchange.ready(function ()
StackExchange.helpers.onClickDraftSave('#login-link');
);
Sign up using Google
Sign up using Facebook
Sign up using Email and Password
Sign up using Google
Sign up using Facebook
Sign up using Email and Password
3
You're not crazy, you're considerate. Thanks for thinking about people in little planes.
– Dan Pichelman
Sep 7 at 13:56
Thank you, Dan.
– Christian DeVito
Sep 7 at 17:10
1
This might be a nice gesture and the fact that you think about things like that shows your keen to learn. BUT it really is not neccessary! If visibility is an issue, the pilot is/should be flying IFR anyway. Reducing your power consumption might help the planet more...
– Julian Bernhuber
Sep 7 at 20:22
Thanks, I appreciate that. I won't do it anymore.
– Christian DeVito
Sep 8 at 0:12