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Obstruction Lighting

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Obstruction lights or aircraft warning lights are used to enhance the visibility of high-rise buildings, towers, wind turbines, telecom installations and bridges making them visible to low flying aircraft.

The type of illumination required is dependant on the height of the obstacle and these requirements are governed generally by Annex 14 of ICAO and also FAA standards. To ensure  maximum visibility, these obstruction lights commonly employ one or more high intensity strobe or LED devices ensuring it can be seen by pilots from several miles from the obstruction. There are three classifications of obstruction lights, Low Medium, and High intensity.

Quantas airplane

LED Low Intensity Obstruction Lighting Range

ICAO Annex 14, specifies that Low Intensity Obstruction Lights should be used on obstacles up to 45 meters in height. Such obstacles could be telecommunications towers, chimneys, cranes, wind turbines and buildings.

Low Intensity Obstruction Lights are the simplest devices when referring to these in ICAO standards, and it indicates that they should have the following characteristics and uses:

  • Type A – an intensity of >10cd, red in colour, and steady burning these types of device can be used on its own.
  • Type B – an intensity >32cd, red in colour and steady burning, these can be used either on its own or in combination with a medium intensity obstacle lights Type B, Type AB or with high intensity obstacle lights Type AB
  • Type E – an intensity >32cd, red in colour and flashing, these can be used either alone or in combination with type B medium intensity obstacle lights. The Flashing rate should be adjusted to the same rate of other flashing beacons installed on the same structure.

LS810

Low Intensity Obstruction Light

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LS810A

Low intensity LED obstruction light (Red) Group – A

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LS810B

Low intensity LED obstruction light (Red) Group – B

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LED Medium Intensity Obstruction Lighting Range

ICAO regulations for Medium Intensity Obstruction Lights suggest that these should be used on obstacles with an height between 45m and 150m, such as telecommunication towers, wind turbines, chimneys, cranes, buildings and other similar structures.

There are three types of beacons for Medium Intensity Obstruction Lights, each has different characteristics and uses:

  • Type A – a flashing light with an intensity of 20,000cd, when in day-mode or night mode. This style of light should be used alone.
  • Type B – a flashing light with an intensity of 2,000cd, when in night mode. This type of obstruction light should be used either alone or in combination with Low Intensity Obstacle Lights, Type B or Type E;
  • Type C – a steady red light with an intensity 2,000cd when operating in night-mode. This fixture should be used either alone or in combination with Medium Intensity Obstacle Lights, Type A or type C.

DUAL type beacons in the same light fixture, suitable to be used during the day (with white LEDs) and during the night (with red LEDs) are also available, these lights are:

  • Type AB (dual MIOL)  a flashing white light with an intensity of 2,000cd, when in day-mode, and a flashing red light with an intensity of 2,000cd, when in night mode. This application should be used in combination with Low Intensity Obstacle Lights, Type B or Type E
  • Type AC (dual MIOL)   a flashing white light with an intensity of 20,000cd; when in day mode, and a steady burning red light with an intensity of 2,000cd, when in night mode. This type of fixture should be used in combination with Medium Intensity Obstacle Lights, Type C.

LS864

Medium Intensity Obstruction Lights (MIOL) should be used to warn the presence of obstacles with an height between 45m and 150m

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LS864A

Medium Intensity Obstruction Lights (MIOL) should be used to warn the presence of obstacles with an height between 45m and 150m

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LS8645

Medium Intensity Obstruction Lights (MIOL) should be used to warn the presence of obstacles with an height between 45m and 150m

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Low Intensity Obstruction Lighting Range

ICAO Annex 14, specifies that Low Intensity Obstruction Lights should be used on obstacles up to 45 meters in height. Such obstacles could be telecommunications towers, chimneys, cranes, wind turbines and buildings.

Low Intensity Obstruction Lights are the simplest devices when referring to these in ICAO standards, and it indicates that they should have the following characteristics and uses:

  • Type A – an intensity of >10cd, red in colour, and steady burning these types of device can be used on its own.

ZA760

Low Intensity Obstruction light (Neon)

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ZA753

Low intensity obstruction light Group – A

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Airfield Identification Beacon (AIB)

An Airport Identification Beacon flashes a two letter morse code signal in green light, and these would normally be provided at an airport to make it more easily identified from the air by the pilots especially where a number of aerodromes in the same vicinity operate at night and confusion could arise as to identity. ICAO or IATA Airport Letters can be used. Military aerodromes are normally equipped with a red identification beacon. (CAA)

AIB

Airfield Ident Beacon

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Frequently Asked Questions

Why is obstruction lighting important?

Aviation obstruction lights are an essential safety precaution on tall structures, including buildings, towers/antennas, wind turbines and others. High-intensity obstruction lights placed at the tops of tall structures ensure 24-hour visibility of the potential hazard to overflying aircraft, with further lights at intervals to mark the full profile of hazards over 45m tall.

Durable, hard-wearing LED obstruction lights offer reliable safety with a long lifespan and minimal routine maintenance. Just regularly check the integrity of the unit, the power supply and the intensity of the light output, to remain compliant with FAA and ICAO regulations.

What are the FAA requirements for aircraft warning lights?

FAA obstruction lighting requirements are generally based on 14 CFR Part 77 from the Code of Federal Regulations. This applies to structures over 200 feet (61m) tall, with some specific rules for sloping land and nearby to highways and railroads.

There may also be circumstances under which the FAA would recommend aviation obstruction lighting for a structure less than 200 feet tall. Additional advice is issued as an FAA Advisory Circular with the prefix AC 70/7460-1.

Why are obstruction lights important for wind turbines?

By their nature, wind turbines are usually installed in exposed or remote locations, both onshore and offshore. Adequate obstruction lighting is essential to signal the position and height of turbines to passing aircraft, and to reduce the risk of a collision.

This is especially important on large wind farms, where there may be hundreds of turbines significantly taller than the surrounding landscape and architecture. Lighting requirements can vary depending on the height of the structure; the CAA notes that turbines can range from 30m to over 150m tall.

How do you maintain obstruction lighting systems?

Aviation obstruction lights are built to withstand heavy weather, including wide ranges of temperature and relative humidity. LED obstruction lights in particular have a long expected lifespan with minimal maintenance. Regular checks should be carried out to ensure the luminaires are still providing the required intensity and to remove any dirt that has accumulated on the dome.

Maintenance checks should also ensure that the power supply is in good condition and the overall integrity of the unit is still good, to reduce any risk of outage or failure. Some units are fitted with two LED circuits in the same fixture, with automatic changeover to the backup light in the event of a fault.

What are the FAA and ICAO regulations for obstruction lighting?

ICAO Annex 14 sets out the full regulations for aviation obstruction lighting. Chapter 3.3 details procedures for lighting of obstructions at night, with additional lights placed at intervals on structures over 45m tall. FAA regulations should also be considered. These are updated via FAA Advisory Circulars with the document prefix AC 70/7460-1.

What is the difference between low, medium and high-intensity obstruction lights?

There are several differences in specifications, for example:

  • Low intensity: Obstacles up to 45m high, minimum intensity 10cd
  • Medium intensity: Height 45-150m, intensity 2,000cd (night) and 20,000cd (day)
  • High intensity: Height over 150m, intensity 2,000cd (night) and 200,000cd (day)

Full details are available as product datasheets in downloadable PDF format, for easy future reference.

What is the difference between LED and traditional obstruction lights?

Obstruction lights are available as high-intensity LED luminaires, as well as ‘traditional’ bulbs such as neon or GLS. Recent advancements in LED technology have allowed the development of LED obstruction lights that comfortably meet the minimum required brightness levels and offer an extended lifespan with minimal maintenance.

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