Lights on the flight line at airports.

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exodus

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When on the flight line at an airport, are you required to have code 3 lights on? We picked a pt up straight from an air ambulance jet that landed the other day, and soon as I pulled onto the flight line, I turned my code 3 lights on for higher visibility. The weather was overcast and heavy rain. I got a page from dispatch asking why I have the code 3 lights activated, I called them and told them, and they were just like uhh okay. They didn't say anything to me after that, and i know the supervisor knows cuz he gets an email anytime any emergent lights are activated.

But yeah, I'm just wondering what FAA's feelings are on this.
 
We require responding ambulances (or off airport fire vehicles) that drive on the ramp to always use their emergency lighting when inside the perimeter fence. In addition, any off-airport unit is escorted by one of our Airfield Operations vehicles or Airport Police. It enhances the visibility of the vehicle and serves as an attention-getter that a off-airfield unit is operating on the ramp. I'll try to find the exact FAA requirement tomorrow at work.
 
Tincanfireman said:
We require responding ambulances (or off airport fire vehicles) that drive on the ramp to always use their emergency lighting when inside the perimeter fence. In addition, any off-airport unit is escorted by one of our Airfield Operations vehicles or Airport Police. It enhances the visibility of the vehicle and serves as an attention-getter that a off-airfield unit is operating on the ramp. I'll try to find the exact FAA requirement tomorrow at work.
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Thanks, I don't think it was a problem, but just in case. It would be nice to have. We followed a golf cart to the aircraft, which they had taxi halfway into a hangar because of the heavy rain.
 
When I worked IFT and had to pick up fixed wing flights (which was quite often) we used secondaries only (red lights only, no yellow or white) and no lightbar
 
jtpaintball70 said:
When I worked IFT and had to pick up fixed wing flights (which was quite often) we used secondaries only (red lights only, no yellow or white) and no lightbar
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To be honest, a lot depends on the policies of the local airport. I can see using only secondaries without strobes, since the height of a strobe bar is nearly eye-level with the cockpit on most aircraft and could cause a distraction to flight crews. While there is no requirement for ambulances to have a yellow flashing light per the instructions below, it would make sense to have some type of illumination to alert other vehicles, especially when the vehicle is not commonly seen on the ramp. At my airport, any vehicle not equipped with a yellow light is required to use four-way flashers while on the flightline.
I hope this has provided you with more answers than questions; feel free to ask if you need more information and I'll try to point you in the right direction. The information below is taken from FAA Advisory Circular 150/5210-5C, PAINTING, MARKING, AND LIGHTING OF VEHICLES USED ON AN AIRPORT, dated 31 August 2007.

(Please disregard the editing comments, couldn't delete them without making hash of the document)

Note: "AOA" or "Movement Area" means anywhere on the airfield controlled by the tower. "Non-Movement" areas are normally the aircraft parking ramps and terminal areas not under direct control of the tower. Either way, there are big aluminum tubes full of people and jet fuel moving around; it pays to be careful!

5. VEHICLE LIGHTING.
a. The standard for identification lighting for vehicles routinely operating in the AOA Movement Area is a yellow flashing light that is mounted on the uppermost part of the vehicle structure. A steady yellow light designates vehicles limited to non-movement areas.
b. The light must be visible from any direction, day and night, including from the air.
c. Color specifications for vehicle identification lights are per Appendix B.
d. Vehicles not routinely operating on the AOA which are not escorted by a properly lighted vehicle must be identified during periods of low visibility by a light.
e. Characteristics ofFlashing Lights:
(1) Ambulance lights must meet the Federal Specification KKK-A-1822E, and ARFF vehicles must meet NFPA, state and local requirements.
(2)(1) Lights must have peak intensity within the range of 40 to 400 candelas (effective) from 0o (horizontal) up to 10o above the horizontal and for 360o horizontally. The upper limit of 400 candelas (effective) is necessary to avoid damage to night vision.
(3)(2) From 10o to 15o above the horizontal plane, the light output must be 1/10th of peak intensity or between 4 and 40 candelas (effective).
(4)(3) Lights must flash at 75 ± 15 flashes per minute.
NOTES:
1. The effective intensity of a flashing light is equal to the intensity of a steady-burning (fixed) light of the same color which produces the same visual range under identical conditions of observation.
2. If xenon flashtubes are used, refer to AC 150/5345-43, Specification for Obstruction Lighting Equipment, for guidance concerning methods of calculating effective intensity.
f.Light Colors.
(1) Ambulances. Per Federal Specification KKK-A-1822E.
(2) ARFF Vehicles. Red or a combination of red-and-white flashing lights per the chromaticity requirements in Appendix B.
(3) Airport Operations, Airfield Service Vehicles, Aircraft Support Vehicles and Other Vehicles. Yellow flashing light per the chromaticity requirements in Appendix B.
(4) Airport Security Vehicles. Signal blue or a combination of red and signal blue flashing light per the chromaticity requirements in Appendix B.
 
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I'm a pilot and would most definitely appreciate that courtesy from an ambulance..

Don't wanna be chopping you guys up :P
 
Not sure about civillian reqs, but on military bases (Navy at least I think) all emergency vehicles have to have their lights on when driving on any pavement that aircraft use, ie. on taxiways, while crossing runways or using service roads that cross taxiways or tarmacs.

Of course it does help that military emergency vehicles can tune into the tower like ground vehilcles at a civillian airport do. So they have constant communications with ground vehicle control. I'm guessing that the OP does not have the ability to tune into and use ground frequencies.
 
spikestac211 said:
I'm a pilot and would most definitely appreciate that courtesy from an ambulance..

Don't wanna be chopping you guys up :P
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Driving a 46,000 lb crash truck doesn't usually make us feel nimble, but when you compare us to a widebody, we're darn near ballerinas :P
 
lightsandsirens5 said:
lol, excellent point.

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tincan, are you an ARFF guy?
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I am; USAF from 1984 to 1998, and from 2004 to the present on the civilian side. That's where the "Tincanfireman" came from ;). Been in the fire service continuously 1981 to now, too...
 
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I have always been taught to run lights on an airstrip, night or day, and regardless of weather condition. I did not know it was mandated by the FAA, but then again I thought it was just common sense as well. We have always been escorted by an airport offficial, and they toohave some kind of beacon on their vehicles which they are required to use when on the tarmac. To me its common sense, and you did the right thing. Safety first.
 
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