ALB2ATL From United States of America, joined Feb 2005, 88 posts, RR: 0 Posted (8 years 3 months 2 weeks 2 hours ago) and read 4424 times:
I have noticed recently @ ALB, the runway strobes are not working/turned on on runway 1. I was even more surprised when I did not see them "flashing" during a hard, windy snow yesterday. Runway 19's (opposite 1) strobe lights are definitely operational and are on whenever a/c land on 19.
CitationJet From United States of America, joined Mar 2003, 2250 posts, RR: 3 Reply 2, posted (8 years 3 months 2 weeks 1 hour ago) and read 4323 times:
Generally, the strobe lights are only operating for one end of the runway at a time (ie approach end or Runway 19). The strobes are not on both ends of the runway at the same time. I assume this eliminates confusion as to which direction to land, since the pilots will only use the strobes on the approach end of the runway.
Flyer737sw From United States of America, joined Oct 2004, 125 posts, RR: 2 Reply 4, posted (8 years 3 months 2 weeks 1 hour ago) and read 4284 times:
Sometimes there might be slight cases to where the lights are INOP...With that being said, the runway enviroment now becomes less...Which typically, if the ceilings are low, the MDA will be higher...At most airports, if there is a tower, the lighting is controlled from the control tower...Hope this helps ya out...Oh, and if the runway isnt being used then there really isn't any point to keep the precision lighting on ...
ALB2ATL From United States of America, joined Feb 2005, 88 posts, RR: 0 Reply 7, posted (8 years 3 months 2 weeks 1 hour ago) and read 4218 times:
Now I am a little confused. I do not understand some of the abbr's used. What I do know is that whenever runway 1 is active, the strobes (maybe about 6 lights on towers that start about 1/8 - 1/4 mile from runway) are not on...Obviously this is known to airport officials as it would have been brought up by pilots, maintenance, police etc, etc. Again, yesterday was snowy and very windy. It was near blizzard conditions for a while. I drove right in front of runway 1 and no strobes! Maybe it isn't a big deal, but I am just curious.
Boeing7E7 From , joined Dec 1969, posts, RR: Reply 8, posted (8 years 3 months 2 weeks ago) and read 4173 times:
They may have installed ALSF-2/SSALR. If so, it provides for a dual use system and the RAIL (Runway Alignment Indicator Lights - Rabbit) lights are "OFF" and the system is dimmed unless an aircraft is on final. It saves power consumption and extends flasher lamp life.
Also, just because it's snowing doesn't mean visibility is below minimums requireing the RAIL.
Zrb2 From United States of America, joined May 2000, 894 posts, RR: 0 Reply 9, posted (8 years 3 months 2 weeks ago) and read 4131 times:
Anyone? Any ideas? This bothers me everyday as I drive by the airport on my way to work.
I can't throw all the technical jargon at you but I know in Buffalo it seems like runway 23 has a much more sophisticated approach lighting system than runway 05. Rwy 23 has at least 2 or 3 banks of lights wide and has high powered sequenced strobes. Rwy 5 looks like it has a couple of 75 watt bulbs sitting on top of skinny towers...no fancy strobes as far as I can tell. Maybe things have changed though in the last several months. Anyway, is it possible ALB has different systems for rwy 1 and 19?
Tom in NO From United States of America, joined Nov 1999, 7194 posts, RR: 40 Reply 10, posted (8 years 3 months 2 weeks ago) and read 4119 times:
Quoting ALB2ATL (Reply 7): What I do know is that whenever runway 1 is active, the strobes (maybe about 6 lights on towers that start about 1/8 - 1/4 mile from runway) are not on...
Those are the "rabbit" or approach lights. Could be that they're out of service for some reason (likely electrical, either with the power source or the lines themselves).
The FAA is responsible for maintaining those lights. The airport operator handles runway edge and centerline, taxiway edge and centerline, touchdown zone, and REIL's.
There are numerous types of approach lighting systems, from the very simple (single bulb rabbits) to very complicated. I'll try to find a page with some graphics.
As far as NOTAM'ing them, it would be phoned in to the local Flight Service Station, who would issue it as a local NOTAM.
Tom at MSY
"The criminal ineptitude makes you furious"-Bruce Springsteen, after seeing firsthand the damage from Hurricane Katrina
OPNLguy From , joined Dec 1969, posts, RR: Reply 11, posted (8 years 3 months 1 week 6 days 23 hours ago) and read 4095 times:
ALB shows 1-19 each having a MALSR installed, which is a MALS (medium intensity approach light system) co-located with a "RAIL" (runway alignment indicator lights), which is the "R" in MALSR. The RAIL are strobes, and are also sometimes referred to as "SFL" (sequenced flashing lights).
When the MALSR is on in bad weather, some crews will ask tower to "kill the rabbit" (meaning, to turn off the RAIL/SFL) because they deem it a distraction, and ATC will comply for that particular flight, and them turn it back on for the next aircraft, unless they too want it off. That could have been why you didn't see it on when you passed by, or of course, it just could have gone inoperative....
ALB2ATL From United States of America, joined Feb 2005, 88 posts, RR: 0 Reply 12, posted (8 years 3 months 1 week 6 days 23 hours ago) and read 4089 times:
Thank you for the info - You have all answered my question(s). I really appreciate it!
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