Being a pilot looks like critical enterprise, what with controlling an enormous machine filled with passengers and all. However that does not imply pilots cannot have a bit of enjoyable. Apparently, pilots will typically say “hi there” to different pilots they go whereas flying by blinking touchdown lights at each other.
A lately viral video exhibits a airplane flashing its touchdown lights because it speeds previous one other airplane. This led one curious Redditor to ask if the pilots have been greeting each other or if it was extra of a security factor. A Reddit person claiming to be a industrial pilot stated it is uncommon, however pilots will use touchdown lights on particular airplane fashions to greet each other. This was additionally confirmed by pilots on different Reddit threads with the identical query.
A Redditor who claimed to be a industrial pilot defined that some airplane fashions are extra probably to make use of this greeting, just like the Boeing 737, which has touchdown lights on the wing roots and are simple to flick on like a automotive’s headlights. In the meantime, an Airbus A320 is a bit completely different, because the lights must be deployed from beneath the wing. Nevertheless, any airplane that activates its touchdown lights will expertise slight drag and a small rumble, he said, so pilots aren’t at all times keen to make use of this greeting in all conditions.
Do pilots flash airplane lights as a warning to different planes?
The video of 1 airplane flashing its lights at one other led to a fairly prolonged dialogue on Reddit, with many individuals debating what the which means behind the lights may imply. Whereas the aforementioned pilot on Reddit claimed it was only a enjoyable and uncommon greeting, some nonetheless questioned if it was a security precaution. The pilot defined that the 2 planes are separated by round 1,000 ft, with the Site visitors Alert and Collision Avoidance System already monitoring every airplane. Flashing lights on this occasion probably would not save anyone from a head-on collision given the speeds. Planes journey at a median pace of 160 to 180 miles per hour, so flashing lights that shut to a different airplane would in all probability not be too efficient.
One other Redditor joked that the flashing lights could possibly be a pace digicam warning, much like how vehicles flash their excessive beams to warn each other of an upcoming digicam — or perhaps a cop. FYI, this isn’t technically unlawful however may get you into hassle in some states. Whereas there are not any pace cameras within the sky, after all, different Redditors introduced up that there are pace enforcements for planes in sure areas. Industrial planes are required to decelerate inside particular vary of an airport however that does not appear to be the explanation pilots flash touchdown lights at each other.
