Ask The Pilot

[ayebee]

Also on utube videos - an Etihad A350-1000 (Just Planes coughpit video) into Abu Dhabi where the captain asked for the approach lights to be dimmed, and a few seconds later they were.
Is this something that can commonly be requested ?

 

[markis10]

the captain asked for the approach lights to be dimmed, and a few seconds later they were.
Is this something that can commonly be requested ?

HiAL (High Intensity Approach Lighting) can be extinguished on request as can the running rabbit (eg Mel) and other airport lighting where the intensity can be wound down.

 

[MooTime]

HiAL (High Intensity Approach Lighting) can be extinguished on request as can the running rabbit (eg Mel) and other airport lighting where the intensity can be wound down.

Running rabbit??

 

[markis10]

Running rabbit??

The Sequenced Flashing Lights are part of some approach lighting systems and are a row of strobe lights that flash in sequence to direct the pilots eyes to the runway. They are useful in conditions of bad weather, as they quickly catch the eye and help the pilot locate the runway threshold which might otherwise be hidden; however, during normal operations they can actually be distracting. These lights appear to run towards the runway and are often called chasers, the rabbit, or the running rabbit.

Melbourne has them on 16 to help pilots not get confused with Essendon fields.

 

[jb747]

The aircraft concerned was a 767-400, a quite rare variant, which was offered to QF as a 330 alternative. And as much as I like the 767, the 330 was a better choice.

As for the event, I don’t think that RNAV or any other form of approach really has much relevance. The VASIS/PAPI (visual approach guidance) should have been all they were looking at. I’d have to admit to being somewhat stunned looking at the runway, and its environs. This is just more of the same from the USA. Really poor procedures that have become the norm over the years. There’s basically no margin for error in this, so whilst the crew have gotten it wrong, the nominal glide path is way too close to obstructions. It may have been legal, but then so was the berm in Korea. The old IGS in HK was a much better thought out approach than this.

And on the question of lights, asking for a lower (or higher) stage of lighting is a normal procedure. You didn't have to do it often, but ATC were quick to respond.

 

[serfty]

The Sequenced Flashing Lights are part of some approach lighting systems and are a row of strobe lights that flash in sequence to direct the pilots eyes to the runway. They are useful in conditions of bad weather, as they quickly catch the eye and help the pilot locate the runway threshold which might otherwise be hidden; however, during normal operations they can actually be distracting. These lights appear to run towards the runway and are often called chasers, the rabbit, or the running rabbit.

Melbourne has them on 16 to help pilots not get confused with Essendon fields.

Running rabbit??

Here's a post with a link to agood video showing a "running rabbit" at JFK:

Post in thread 'Ask The Pilot'

Dec 29, 2018

On Thursday evening, I came in on Cathay to land at JFK ... the approach was interesting being almost a continuous right hand curve until the very last. There was a nose camera on the 777 and I could see the curved approach reflected on the running rabbit.

We came right around to land on 13L, which meant a lengthy taxi back around to T8.

Researching this it appears to be the previously mentioned "Carnarsie" approach. Here's a video I found which is similar to what I saw:

I don't think flying too low over Brooklyn and so annoying the natives...

• serfty