Runway Edge Lights are lighting elements along the edges of a runway that assist pilots during nighttime or low-visibility landings and taxiing . They are essential for safely recognizing the runway width and direction , especially in fog, rain, or during night flights.
1. Features of Runway Edge Lights
✅ Placed along the entire length of the runway → Provide a clear visual boundary.
✅ Color changes depending on location →
- White along most parts of the track.
- Yellow in the last 600m (for landing warning).
-
Red at the end of the runway (on some systems).
✅ Multiple intensity levels → Low, medium and high depending on the airport type.
✅ Works with other landing lights → Combined with threshold lights, centerline lights and REIL .
2. Color changes and meaning
| Colour | Location | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| White | Along the edges of most of the runway length | Indicates the edge of the track |
| Yellow | Last 600m of instrument runways | Warning to pilots that the end is near |
| Red | Sometimes at the ends of the track | Marking the end of the runway |
✈ Example: A pilot approaching a runway sees white lights at the edges, turning yellow in the last 600 meters and sometimes red at the end .
3. Types of Runway Edge Lights
| Type | Application | Features |
|---|---|---|
| Low Intensity Runway Lights (LIRL) | Small airports | Only white light, no color change |
| Medium Intensity Runway Lights (MIRL) | Regional airports | White/yellow light, adjustable brightness |
| High Intensity Runway Lights (HIRL) | Major and international airports | Adjustable intensity, white/yellow/red for precision landings |
📌 HIRL is often used at airports with ILS (Instrument Landing System) for precision landings.
4. Difference between Runway Edge Lights and other landing lights
| Lighting system | Location | Goal | Colour |
|---|---|---|---|
| Runway Edge Lights | Along the edges of the track | Defines the boundary of the runway | White → Yellow → Red |
| Runway Centerline Lights | Middle of the track | Displays the exact centerline | White → White/Red → Red |
| Threshold Lights | Beginning of the runway | Indicates safe landing zone | Green |
| REIL (Runway End Identifier Lights) | At the threshold of the track | Identifies the start of the track | Flashing white |
5. Where are Runway Edge Lights used?
📍 All airports with night operations → Mandatory for safe landings and takeoffs.
📍 International airports → High-intensity systems (HIRL) for precision landings.
📍 Regional and small airports → MIRL or LIRL systems depending on needs.
📍 Military airfields → Extra bright lighting for operations in poor visibility.
💡 In short:
Runway edge lights mark the boundaries of a runway and are vital for night flights and poor visibility . The lighting is usually white , changing to yellow in the last 600 meters , and sometimes red at the end . Runway edge lights help pilots land, taxi, and take off safely.