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To: iowamark

Wow, I can only imagine the feelings of the fiancé, especially when the search had to be called off until morning...

One thing tho’ and I’ll admit to ignorance about this: Over the years I’ve had occasion to go by a small strip about 40 miles from us, at all hours, sometimes a couple times a year and sometimes several times a year. I can remember when it was only a small building and a grass strip mainly for the cropdusters. At any rate, I can remember marker lights at night @ the ends of the runway for, goodness, maybe 30 years - ever since they put in a concrete strip, and at least 15 years ago they put in lights along the length of the runway. Said lights have always been on, every time I go by in non-daylight hours, or in low-visibility weather.

My question is, is this having the runway lights off until a flight nears, to be turned on by radio signal from the plane, something relatively new, to save on electricity (and light bulbs?)

Secondarily, you’d think that in 2018 someone would have the foresight to have “backup” both in the plane and also on the ground — the latter being ability of the pilot to call or text 911 and have LEO briefly trained in the matter turn the dang lights on.


12 posted on 09/25/2018 5:09:12 AM PDT by Paul R.
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To: Paul R.
My question is, is this having the runway lights off until a flight nears, to be turned on by radio signal from the plane, something relatively new, to save on electricity (and light bulbs?)

I first ran across in some 35 years ago at a small, rural airport. Key the marked frequency on the mic, and the lights came on to land. What the drug smuggler didn't know was that it also triggered a signal at the sheriff's office, and the drug plane was met by the cops.

13 posted on 09/25/2018 5:26:45 AM PDT by PAR35
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To: Paul R.
My question is, is this having the runway lights off until a flight nears, to be turned on by radio signal from the plane, something relatively new, to save on electricity (and light bulbs?)

This is common for small airports. Pilot keys in airport frequency on radio, clicks mic to turn on lights. 3 clicks lights come on dim, 5 clicks medium, 7 clicks bright.

15 posted on 09/25/2018 5:49:00 AM PDT by TruthWillWin ([[MSM]])
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