Obstacle Lighting
Obstacle Lighting in Germany
When must aviation lighting be used?
In cities and densely populated areas: every object with a height of at least 150 m, outside these areas from a height of 100 m.
In areas with airfields and helipads, there are building protection zones with special requirements. Lighting must also be used at low heights in these areas.
What must be marked?
As a general rule, the highest points must be marked and the outline of an object or group of objects must be visible. In the case of a high-rise building, these are, for example, the corner points and the ridge. In the case of extensive objects, the lights must be arranged so that the distance between them is less than 45 metres.
In terms of height, this means several levels of lights.
On slim obstacles (wind measurement masts, chimneys, etc.), two obstacle lights from one lighting level must always be visible from every direction.
Tower cranes usually require 2 to 4 lights (on the jib, above the cabin and on the counterweight).
When are obstacle lights no longer sufficient?
If an object is higher than 100 m and an unlit part protrudes at least 15 m (3 m in airport areas) above it, hazard lights must be used. They may also be used if a particular hazard situation requires their installation.
Which lights are used?
Are redundant systems required (double obstacle lights)?
If LED obstacle lights with failure probability monitoring are used and the lights are replaced when the failure probability reaches 5%, double obstacle lights are not required.
Who determines when the lights must be activated?
As a rule, obstacle lighting is part of the building permit. Information can be obtained from the local aviation authority.
Are the guidelines valid internationally?
The type and positioning of lighting in the Federal Republic of Germany is based on ICAO specifications, but special national regulations apply.
For example, in Germany, obstacle lights must have an intensity of at least 10 Cd even at -2° vertical and be certified by the Federal Ministry of Transport.
The currently valid ‘General Administrative Regulation on the Marking of Obstacles to Aviation’ can be downloaded from the DFS website. Wind turbines play a special role here; there is a new ‘W, red’ light with an effective intensity of 100 Cd.
What should be done if the lighting fails?
If the obstacle lighting system fails, a NOTAM message must be sent to air traffic control. This informs pilots of the danger posed by unlit obstacles during flight preparation. As a rule, the lights must then be repaired within 14 days.###When must aviation lighting be used?
In cities and densely populated areas: every object with a height of at least 150 m, outside these areas from a height of 100 m.
In areas with airfields and helipads, there are building protection zones with special requirements. Lighting must also be used at low heights in these areas.
What must be marked?
As a general rule, the highest points must be marked and the outline of an object or group of objects must be visible. In the case of a high-rise building, these are, for example, the corner points and the ridge. In the case of extensive objects, the lights must be arranged so that the distance between them is less than 45 metres.
In terms of height, this means several levels of lights.
On slim obstacles (wind measurement masts, chimneys, etc.), two obstacle lights from one lighting level must always be visible from every direction.
Tower cranes usually require 2 to 4 lights (on the jib, above the cabin and on the counterweight).
When are obstacle lights no longer sufficient?
If an object is higher than 100 m and an unlit part protrudes at least 15 m (3 m in airport areas) above it, hazard lights must be used. They may also be used if a particular hazard situation requires their installation.
Which lights are used?
Are redundant systems required (double obstacle lights)?
If LED obstacle lights with failure probability monitoring are used and the lights are replaced when the failure probability reaches 5%, double obstacle lights are not required.
Who determines when the lights must be activated?
As a rule, obstacle lighting is part of the building permit. Information can be obtained from the local aviation authority.
Are the guidelines valid internationally?
The type and positioning of lighting in the Federal Republic of Germany is based on ICAO specifications, but special national regulations apply.
For example, in Germany, obstacle lights must have an intensity of at least 10 Cd even at -2° vertical and be certified by the Federal Ministry of Transport.
The currently valid ‘General Administrative Regulation on the Marking of Obstacles to Aviation’ can be downloaded from the DFS website. Wind turbines play a special role here; there is a new ‘W, red’ light with an effective intensity of 100 Cd.
What should be done if the lighting fails?
If the obstacle lighting system fails, a NOTAM message must be sent to air traffic control. This informs pilots of the danger posed by unlit obstacles during flight preparation. As a rule, the lights must then be repaired within 14 days.