Dedicated maintenance procedures for the complete approach lighting system — fixtures, light bars, poles, crossbars, structural members, foundations, frangible components, electrical connections, and associated isolation transformers. The objective is to preserve the geometry and continuity of the whole system, not just the operation of individual fixtures.
Core principle: Physical Integrity + Frangibility + Electrical Integrity + Geometric Accuracy + Optical Performance = Acceptable Approach Lighting Condition. A fixture can be electrically functional and still require maintenance because of incorrect alignment, incorrect elevation, structural movement, corrosion, vegetation obstruction, or a damaged frangible component.
Safety before work: isolate and lock out the affected series circuit at the CCR before touching fixtures, connectors or isolation transformers — never open a live series circuit or disconnect a primary connector on an energised circuit. Obtain airside / ATC work authorisation, and apply working-at-height controls for poles and structures.
Every approach-lighting maintenance task in this division follows the same underlying sequence, and every intervention is judged against the same five integrity factors.
Recommended diagnostic path for a defective approach light, from initial observation through to record.
Quick-reference mapping from inspection finding to typical maintenance action.
| Finding | Typical Action |
|---|---|
| Dirty fixture | Clean |
| Damaged fixture | Repair/replace |
| Failed lamp/LED | Replace |
| Damaged lens/prism | Replace |
| Misaligned fixture | Realign |
| Incorrect elevation | Correct |
| Loose mounting | Tighten (to specified torque) |
| Damaged frangible component | Replace |
| Corroded structure | Assess/treat/replace |
| Damaged pole | Repair/replace |
| Damaged crossbar | Repair/replace |
| Foundation deterioration | Assess/repair |
| Cable damage | Repair/replace |
| Connector damage | Replace |
| Transformer fault | Repair/replace |
| Water ingress | Identify source/correct |
| Vegetation obstruction | Clear |
| Storm damage | Inspect/restore |
| Vehicle impact | Isolate/inspect/repair |
| Construction displacement | Restore geometry |
| Illumination abnormality | Investigate/correct |
Grouped by maintenance category — click any topic to expand its maintenance activities and acceptance condition.
Standard: cleaning must not damage lens, prism, optical surfaces, housing, or seals — verify fixture condition after cleaning.
Action: record defective fixtures for corrective maintenance.
Attention: damage that could alter the designed approach-lighting geometry.
Standard: assess any abnormal structural condition before the installation returns to normal service.
Verify: fixtures remain correctly positioned.
Standard: refer significant deterioration for appropriate engineering assessment.
Never: replace a frangible component with an ordinary rigid component unless specifically approved by the applicable design requirements. Use only the specified fasteners and tightening torque — over-tightening or substituting fasteners can compromise frangibility.
Standard: check alignment against the approved system/design requirements.
Standard: correct any abnormal elevation — mounting height and vertical aiming angle / level — using the approved method.
Attention: areas exposed to environmental or mechanical damage.
Standard: repair/replace defective connectors per applicable connector requirements.
Where located in pits: inspect the associated pit condition as well.
Where identified: identify source, remove moisture, correct sealing, inspect and test affected equipment.
Standard: where corrosion affects structural or electrical integrity, initiate corrective maintenance.
Coordinate: vegetation control with applicable airport environmental and airside requirements.
Objective: ensure the intended approach-lighting visual pattern remains available.
Standard: where formal photometric testing is required, perform it under the applicable procedure rather than relying solely on visual inspection.
Standard: replace damaged or failed fixtures when repair is not appropriate.
Standard: replace failed lamps or LED modules with approved components only.
Standard: repair only where permitted by the approved maintenance/design requirements.
Standard: repair should follow an appropriate engineering assessment.
Standard: replace with the approved type only.
Standard: repair using the approved repair method.
Standard: replace with approved units only.
Standard: repair should follow appropriate engineering requirements.
Performed: when inspection identifies a deviation.
Standard: used where repair is not suitable — replace with approved components only.
Inspect: fixtures, poles, crossbars, structures, foundations, frangible components, cables, connectors, transformers.
Standard: restore the system to the approved configuration.
Standard: this is a mandatory closure activity for every maintenance intervention.
Post-maintenance functional verification is checked across five categories before any approach-lighting task is closed out.
Fixture mounting, pole, crossbar, structure, foundation, frangible components.
Cable, connector, transformer, continuity, applicable insulation testing.
Fixture orientation, alignment, elevation, illumination.
Water ingress, corrosion, vegetation clearance.
System operation, visibility, maintenance record.
Quick answers about approach lighting maintenance, based on the topics in this division.
It provides dedicated procedures for the complete approach lighting system: fixtures, light bars, poles, crossbars, structural members, foundations, frangible components and electrical connections.
Division 18 (Approach Lighting Maintenance) contains 36 topics in three groups: Group A Preventive Maintenance (18 topics), Group B Corrective Maintenance (13 topics) and Group C Special Maintenance (5 topics).
Five integrity factors together: physical integrity, frangibility, electrical integrity, geometric accuracy and optical performance. A fixture can be electrically functional and still not be acceptable.
Isolate and lock out the affected series circuit at the CCR before touching fixtures, connectors or isolation transformers, and never open a live series circuit.
Ten steps: Inspect, Clean, Check Structure, Check Electrical System, Check Alignment, Check Elevation, Verify Visibility, Verify Illumination, Restore and Record.
Start with a visual fixture inspection, then check the lamp or LED, optical component, secondary lead, connector, isolation transformer and circuit or cable. Correct the defect, test, check alignment and elevation, verify illumination and record.
A dirty fixture is cleaned, a failed lamp or LED is replaced, a misaligned fixture is realigned, incorrect elevation is corrected, loose mounting is tightened to the specified torque, a damaged frangible component is replaced, vegetation is cleared, vehicle impact is isolated, inspected and repaired, and construction displacement means restoring the geometry.
Five categories: mechanical (mounting, pole, crossbar, structure, foundation, frangible components), electrical (cable, connector, transformer, continuity and applicable insulation testing), optical (orientation, alignment, elevation, illumination), environmental (water ingress, corrosion, vegetation clearance) and final (system operation, visibility and the maintenance record).
Approach lighting maintenance is more than checking individual light bars.
Build the technical knowledge to understand configuration integrity, structural condition, sequenced flashing systems, and how the approach array guides a pilot in low visibility.
Maintain the array. Protect the guidance. Understand the approach.
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