Squawk BoxBrowse Topic

What color are taxiway edge lights and taxiway centerline lights?

Answer

Taxiway edge lights emit blue light. Taxiway centerline lights are steady-burning and emit green light. This distinguishes them clearly from runway lighting (white edge lights, white/red centerline lights).

AIM 2-1-10
Read the full regulation — AIM 2-1-10
2-1-10. Taxiway Lights
a. Taxiway Edge Lights. Taxiway edge lights are used to outline the edges of taxiways during periods of
darkness or restricted visibility conditions. These fixtures emit blue light.
NOTE-
At most major airports these lights have variable intensity settings and may be adjusted at pilot request or when deemed
necessary by the controller .
b. Taxiway Centerline Lights. Taxiway centerline lights are used to facilitate ground traffic under low
visibility conditions. They are located along the taxiway centerline in a straight line on straight portions, on the
centerline of curved portions, and along designated taxiing paths in portions of runways, ramp, and apron areas.
Taxiway centerline lights are steady burning and emit green light.
c. Clearance Bar Lights. Clearance bar lights are installed at holding positions on taxiways in order to
increase the conspicuity of the holding position in low visibility conditions. They may also be installed to indicate
the location of an intersecting taxiway during periods of darkness. Clearance bars consist of three in-pavement
steady-burning yellow lights.
d. Runway Guard Lights. Runway guard lights are installed at taxiway/runway intersections. They are
primarily used to enhance the conspicuity of taxiway/runway intersections during low visibility conditions, but
may be used in all weather conditions. Runway guard lights consist of either a pair of elevated flashing yellow
lights installed on either side of the taxiway, or a row of in-pavement yellow lights installed across the entire
taxiway, at the runway holding position marking.
NOTE-
Some airports may have a row of three or five in-pavement yellow lights installed at taxiway/runway intersections. They
should not be confused with clearance bar lights described in paragraph 2-1-10c, Clearance Bar Lights.
e. Stop Bar Lights. Stop bar lights, when installed, are used to confirm the ATC clearance to enter or cross
the active runway in low visibility conditions (below 1,200 ft Runway Visual Range). A stop bar consists of a
Airport Lighting Aids 2-1-13

 AIM 2/20/25
row of red, unidirectional, steady-burning in-pavement lights installed across the entire taxiway at the runway
holding position, and elevated steady -burning red lights on each side. A controlled stop bar is operated in
conjunction with the taxiway centerline lead -on lights which extend from the stop bar toward the runway.
Following the ATC clearance to proceed, the stop bar is turned off and the lead-on lights are turned on. The stop
bar and lead-on lights are automatically reset by a sensor or backup timer.
CAUTION-
Pilots should never cross a red illuminated stop bar, even if an ATC clearance has been given to proceed onto or across
the runway.
NOTE-
If after crossing a stop bar, the taxiway centerline lead-on lights inadvertently extinguish, pilots should hold their position
and contact ATC for further instructions.
2-1-14 Airport Lighting Aids

2/20/25 AIM
Section 2. Air Navigation and Obstruction Lighting

Test yourself on this and 500+ more

Squawk Box is a free aviation micro-learning app. Flip cards, build streaks, stay sharp.

Try Squawk Box