Air Crews Have Failed To Activate Pilot Controlled Lighting Systems

The FAA has noted a recent increase in the number of incidents involving aircraft operating at night at uncontrolled airports, or at airports where the control tower is not staffed around the clock. In many of those accidents, flightcrews have failed to activate the airport Pilot Controlled Lighting system (PCL). The incidents have involved taxiing aircraft as well as take-offs and landings. The rising trend of these incidents indicates manuals and training programs should be reviewed for clarity in this area.

A recently-issued SAFO says that operators should ensure that flightcrews demonstrate knowledge and proficiency during training and checking events in the use of the Common Traffic Advisory Frequency (CTAF) and PCL systems. The training should include instructions on the activation of the variable intensity capabilities of the PCL systems. Additionally, published policies should ensure that night ground operations (taxi, take-off and landing) are conducted only on lighted airfields. Proper use of the CTAF should also be reviewed.

Operators are reminded of their responsibility to ensure that flightcrews are provided with the training and procedures to ensure the highest degree of safety.

The following references contain information for aircraft ground operations:

• Airman’s Information Manual (AIM), 2-1-8. Pilot Control of Airport Lighting
• AC 90-42F, Traffic Advisory Practices at Airports without Operating Control Towers
• AC-120-74A, Parts 91, 121, 125 and 135 Flight Crew Procedures During Taxi Operations
• AC120-71A, Standard Operating Procedures for Flight Deck Crewmembers

The FAA recommends that directors of safety, directors of operations, instructors, and air carrier flightcrews should be familiar with the content of the SAFO (10008). They should work together to ensure that the content of the SAFO is provided to pilots during ground training, reinforced in flight training, during supervised operating experience, line checks and proficiency checks. Directors of Operations are also reminded terminal operations into uncontrolled airspace are required to be listed (airport specific) in each air carrier’s operations specifications.

FMI: www.faa.gov/other_visit/aviation_industry/airline_operators/airline_safety/safo/all_safos/media/2010/SAFO10008.pdf