Jonathan Bailey Posted May 30, 2015 Report Share Posted May 30, 2015 When I was about age 13, my grandfather had told me that all airplanes have a green light on the starboard side and a red light on the port side. This is the same for boats and helicopters. I believe these are called "navigation lights" both nautically and in aeronautical usage. Correct? I was wondering why the green starboard light seems to be more blueish-green than true green? To tell you the truth, I like the blueish-green light better than true-green lights. Like blue-green numbers on a digital alarm clock, easier on the eyes. Most of the green navigation lights I have seen seem to have a blueish tint anyway. Also, do army helicopters have red/green navigation lights? I have never noticed them on military birds before. I understand the importance of navigation lights for safety. If you see a red and green light at night in the dark and the red light is to the RIGHT of the green light as you face these lights, the boat or aircraft is coming right toward you! 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Flying Pig Posted May 30, 2015 Report Share Posted May 30, 2015 I understand the importance of navigation lights for safety. If you see a red and green light at night in the dark and the red light is to the RIGHT of the green light as you face these lights, the boat or aircraft is coming right toward you! Yes, typically night time is in the dark. You your grandfather would be proud. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
helonorth Posted May 30, 2015 Report Share Posted May 30, 2015 They are normally called position lights in aviation. What's going on if the red light is to the left of the green? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pohi Posted May 30, 2015 Report Share Posted May 30, 2015 The helicopter is inverted, with a sling load,..... 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RagMan Posted May 30, 2015 Report Share Posted May 30, 2015 ^ Hahaha! Good one Pohi Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
UH60L-IP Posted May 30, 2015 Report Share Posted May 30, 2015 Yes, Army helicopters have the same red and green position lights. We just don't always have them on at night for different reasons. We also have IR position lights so we can still see each other if the red/green are off. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
eagle5 Posted May 30, 2015 Report Share Posted May 30, 2015 They are normally called position lights in aviation.My switch says "nav". 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jaybee Posted May 30, 2015 Report Share Posted May 30, 2015 All the aircraft I've flown have had three lights not two... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Eric Hunt Posted May 31, 2015 Report Share Posted May 31, 2015 If you see an Army helicopter with red lights winking at you from BOTH sides, duck! My helicopter has a white light at the back, I think it's for reversing, but it doesn't go "beep beep beep" when I go backwards. It also has one marked "Landing Light" - does that mean I can't use it for taking off? Or if I'm landing heavy? Please ask your grandfather, he would know. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jonathan Bailey Posted May 31, 2015 Author Report Share Posted May 31, 2015 They are normally called position lights in aviation. What's going on if the red light is to the left of the green?In that case one is FOLLOWING the aircraft in front of them if the red light is on the left. I learned this in PC flight sims. In boating speak, these are sometimes called running lights. On boats, ships and aircraft sport these lights as far as man-made vehicles go as much as I know. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
helonorth Posted May 31, 2015 Report Share Posted May 31, 2015 The red and green lights won't be visible from behind. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wally Posted May 31, 2015 Report Share Posted May 31, 2015 The red and green lights won't be visible from behind. Both red and green lights won't be visible from exactly behind. Otherwise, you should be able to see a red or a green and a white. There are requirements and limitations on where youo can see the light. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
eagle5 Posted May 31, 2015 Report Share Posted May 31, 2015 I knew a Robbie that was hit from behind at night, so I wouldn't trust those lights to help much. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WolftalonID Posted June 1, 2015 Report Share Posted June 1, 2015 My switch says "nav". Well would you want a switch labeled POS? Hahaha 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pohi Posted June 1, 2015 Report Share Posted June 1, 2015 Well would you want a switch labeled POS? Hahaha 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jonathan Bailey Posted June 1, 2015 Author Report Share Posted June 1, 2015 Well would you want a switch labeled POS? Hahaha What are lights controlled by a switch labeled BEACON? Is beacon different from strobe? What is with all these clunky toggle switches in aircraft anyway? Why not a simpler rotary switch as in cars for various lighting functions? How about automatic lighting whereby the correct lights come on under the right circumstances? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WolftalonID Posted June 1, 2015 Report Share Posted June 1, 2015 (edited) Well would you want a switch labeled POS? Hahaha😜 haha lol Edited June 1, 2015 by WolftalonID Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wally Posted June 1, 2015 Report Share Posted June 1, 2015 (edited) What are lights controlled by a switch labeled BEACON? Is beacon different from strobe? What is with all these clunky toggle switches in aircraft anyway? Why not a simpler rotary switch as in cars for various lighting functions? How about automatic lighting whereby the correct lights come on under the right circumstances? "What are lights controlled by a switch labeled BEACON?"How do you know it's a light switch? If it's located in the lighting switch section, it could be a rotating beacon, which could also be an "anti-collision light", although usually those are strobe light type systems, and you might also have a separate strobe system. " What is with all these clunky toggle switches in aircraft anyway?"Tactility, I can run my hand over the switches and feel the position. Example: Med crew ICS is on the ceiling behind me. I can reach back and 'braille' their switches to monitor various radios, off or on. Hard to do with a rotary switch, although it can be done if it has a stop at the end. Then you can count clicks up or down without looking at the pointer/indicator.The "clunky" switches in the illustration are combination circuit breaker toggle switches (wrong- combination switches are 'ball-end' and have a reset position, my bad). Some things are easily automated, but lights would require a monitoring system so the PIC could check that they are activated, it would also require an over-ride system, and would have failures in automation: nothing gained over merely flicking a switch. Edited June 1, 2015 by Wally Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Eric Hunt Posted June 1, 2015 Report Share Posted June 1, 2015 Some switches are "clunky toggle switches" because they need to be big enough for a gloved hand to operate it in turbulent conditions, and not be accidentally turned on or off. Some require a lift before moving, but can be moved back by a flick - example is Hydraulic OFF switch in the 206, where you want a positive decision to turn them off, and then a rapid return when you want them back on. They have an electrical fail-safe anyway. Some switches have different shaped heads so you can feel them in the dark and confirm you have the right one - Manual Fuel switch in a Huey had a big triangle on the top. Others have guards beside them or covers over the top, to prevent inadvertent operation by inquisitive schoolboys with big hair and lots of curiosity. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
eagle5 Posted June 1, 2015 Report Share Posted June 1, 2015 I hate automatic lights, so glad my car doesn't have them! 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Goldy Posted June 6, 2015 Report Share Posted June 6, 2015 by inquisitive schoolboys with big hair and lots of curiosity.Pretty sure you just described me to a tee, just 40 years ago. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Eric Hunt Posted August 7, 2015 Report Share Posted August 7, 2015 Jonathon has gone awfully quiet lately, after a massive burst of posts. Maybe his mother activated Parental Lock on the computer? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest pokey Posted August 7, 2015 Report Share Posted August 7, 2015 (edited) Jonathon has gone awfully quiet lately, after a massive burst of posts. Maybe his mother activated Parental Lock on the computer? or maybe he is : flapping to antiquity? ( i hear getting old does that old helicopter pilots) Edited August 7, 2015 by pokey Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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