Obstacle Light Aviation Lighting Requirements

Aviation lighting requirements involve many aspects, but due to the development of air traffic and aviation safety in recent years,airfield lighting has been widely valued. Today we will learn about the requirements for high-altitude obstacle warning lights.

Classification of Aircraft Lights

Aviation obstruction lights are generally divided into three types: low intensity, medium intensity, and high intensity.

• Low-intensity obstacle lights must be red lights with constant intensity;
• Medium-intensity obstacle lights must be red flashing lights, and the flashing frequency must be between 20 and 60 times per minute;
• High-intensity obstacle warning lights must be white flashing lights, and the effective intensity depends on the installation requirements.

Obstacle Lights Aviation Lighting Requirements

Obstacle Height Classification & Lighting Requirements

Height Demarcation Point: In the ICAO standard, the obstacle height stratification is usually:

• ≤45 meters: Use low-intensity red obstacle lights, steady-on lighting.
• 45m＜height≤105m: Install medium-intensity obstacle warning lights, red flashing lights, frequency: 20-60 times/minute
• More than 105m: high-intensity aviation obstruction lights are required, white flashing, flashing frequency and brightness are determined according to the requirements of the installation site;
• More 150m: additional reinforcement may be required (such as increasing the density of lamps or light intensity), but the demarcation point should be 105m. Usually used in combination: medium and high-intensity aircraft warning lights (such as medium intensity in the middle of a high-rise building and high intensity at the top), but the layering rules need to be clear.

Aviation Obstruction Lights Setting Rules

Horizontal contour coverage: Aviation lighting requirements:

High-altitude obstacle warning lights must ensure that the outline of the obstacle is visible in any direction, especially on the sides and top.

Multi-layer setting: For obstacles over 45m, the middle layer aviation lights should be evenly distributed, and the top and middle layers need to flash synchronously (if used in combination).

Other Requirements

• Special structures: Linear obstacles such as guy wires and cables need to follow specific rules (such as horizontal marker lights) instead of just medium/high intensity lights.
• Color specification: medium intensity light flashes red, high intensity obstruction warning light flashes white, and low intensity light is always red. This standard should be followed.
• Backup power supply: LED aviation obstruction lights or solar obstacle warning lights should have emergency power supply (such as batteries or photovoltaic systems) to ensure continuous operation after power failure.

Reference Sources of Article Materials

1. ICAO Annex 14 “Airport Environment and Obstacle Restrictions”: Clarify the layering rules, colors, flashing frequency, etc. of obstacle lights.
2. CCAR-97 “Civil Airport Airfield Technical Standards”: China Civil Aviation’s aviation lighting requirements for obstacle lights in terms of light intensity, installation, etc.
3. FAA AC 70/7460-1K “Obstacle Marking and Lighting”: The US Federal Aviation Administration’s technical guide for obstacle lights.