Evaluation of Arctic Test of Improved Tritium Radioluminescent Lighting.

This test was conducted to determine if the improved generation of tritium radioluminescent runway lighting could effectively support aircraft operations in the Alaskan winter environment. The lighting system was unidirectional and consisted of threshold and touchdown zone lights (each end), edge li...

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Bibliographic Details
Main Authors: Haff,K W, Tompkins,J A, Hult,L J, Bupp,C L
Other Authors: OAK RIDGE NATIONAL LAB TN
Format: Text
Language:English
Published: 1984
Subjects:
Terminal Flight Facilities
Air Condition
Heating
Lighting & Ventilating
*RUNWAYS
*MARKER LIGHTS
*RADIOLUMINESCENCE
SPATIAL DISTRIBUTION
ACQUISITION
PANELS
PILOTS
ALASKA
ILLUMINATION
WINTER
DARKNESS
VISIBILITY
ENVIRONMENTAL TESTS
RATINGS
LIGHTING EQUIPMENT
VISUAL PERCEPTION
AIRCRAFT LANDINGS
ACCEPTABILITY
ARCTIC REGIONS
TWILIGHT
TRITIUM
APPROACH INDICATORS
Runway lights
VASI(Visual Approach Slope Indicator)
Tritium lighting equipment
Radioluminescent panels
WUAFESC26730034
PE62601F
Arctic
Alaska
Online Access:http://www.dtic.mil/docs/citations/ADA148215
http://oai.dtic.mil/oai/oai?&verb=getRecord&metadataPrefix=html&identifier=ADA148215
Description
Summary:This test was conducted to determine if the improved generation of tritium radioluminescent runway lighting could effectively support aircraft operations in the Alaskan winter environment. The lighting system was unidirectional and consisted of threshold and touchdown zone lights (each end), edge lights, and Visual Approach Slope Indicator (VASI) lights. The primary lighting layout tested was similar to that required by Military Airlift Command regulations for C-130 operations. Nearly all pilots rated the runway lights satisfactory for use at tactical operating locations. Visual acquisition range was 3 to 5 miles under dark conditions. This distance was decreased by ambient lighting conditions. Pilots landing into the twilight of a setting sun reported as little as 1 mile acquisition range. The VASI system was rated marginal by pilots. Increasing the number of radioluminescent panels used and the distance between the panels significantly improved acquisition and usable ranges. The tritium lights were extremely durable throughout the test. They required no maintenance except an occasional 'wipe off,' and there were no failures or security violations.

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