This video is a great introduction to airport runway lighting systemsĪpproach Lighting System with Sequence Flashing Lights (ALSF-2)Īpproach Lighting Systems (ALS) provide the basic means to transition from instrument flight to visual flight for landing. ODALS: Omnidirectional Approach Lighting SystemĪLSF-1: Approach Lighting System with Sequenced Flashing Lights configuration 1ĪLSF-2: Approach Lighting System with Sequenced Flashing Lights configuration 2ĬALVERT I/ICAO-1 HIALS: ICAO-compliant configuration 1 High Intensity Approach Lighting SystemĬALVERT II/ICAO-2 HIALS: ICAO-compliant configuration 2 High Intensity Approach Lighting System SSALF: Simplified Short Approach Lighting System with Sequenced Flashing Lights SSALR: Simplified Short Approach Lighting System with Runway Alignment Indicator Lights SSALS: Simplified Short Approach Lighting System MALSF: Medium-intensity Approach Lighting System with Sequenced Flashing lights MALSR: Medium-intensity Approach Lighting System with Runway Alignment Indicator Lights Here’s a short list of some very common airport lighting systems that you may find: This article will cover the basics of the most common types of runway approach and landing light systems that you may find. Runway lighting systems… why do we need them? After all, isn’t the instrument approach procedures intended to guide us down to a point where we can see the runway anyway? Anyone who has flown an ILS down to minimums or even in relatively marginal weather, they know how valuable a reliable approach light system can be - especially when flying in smaller or training aircraft with limited capabilities.