A standardized methodology for assessing the operational, photometric, electrical, mechanical, geometric, and physical condition of runway lighting and associated components — the largest division in the handbook, reflecting runway lighting's status as the most critical AGL asset group. Covers edge, threshold/end, centreline, touchdown-zone, and guard lighting, plus fixture mechanics, optics, LED/lamp condition, cable/connector interfaces, cleanliness, geometry, photometric condition, and defect recording.
Important control — A visual runway lighting inspection must not be treated as a substitute for formal photometric testing, electrical testing, insulation-resistance testing, circuit testing, CCR testing, or scheduled preventive maintenance. Where an inspection identifies a condition that cannot be confirmed visually, the condition should be escalated for the appropriate technical test or engineering assessment.
Inspection of the overall runway lighting system for operational availability, abnormal indications, missing fixtures, dark sections, irregular illumination, and visible defects.
Verification of the condition and operational status of the applicable runway lighting circuit(s), including circuit continuity, abnormal outages, and indications from the control/monitoring system.
Verification that applicable runway lighting operates correctly at each available CCR intensity step and that abnormal intensity differences are identified.
Identification, recording, and classification of individual or multiple extinguished runway lights.
Inspection of runway edge fixtures for operational condition, physical integrity, visibility, alignment, cleanliness, and damage.
Verification that fixtures remain in their designated locations and that spacing is consistent with the approved runway lighting layout.
Verification of fixture orientation and optical aiming relative to the runway centreline and applicable lighting configuration.
Inspection of fixture elevation relative to the surrounding pavement and approved installation requirements.
Verification that the fixture is correctly aligned and has not rotated, shifted, tilted, or otherwise deviated from its intended orientation.
Inspection of emitted colour and identification of abnormal colour, discoloration, mixed colour, or degraded optical output.
Verification of visible illumination, uniformity, abnormal dimming, flickering, partial illumination, and complete outage.
Inspection of threshold lighting for operational status, correct colour, visibility, alignment, cleanliness, and physical condition.
Inspection of runway end lighting for operational status, correct colour, visibility, alignment, and physical integrity.
Inspection of threshold wing bars where provided, including fixture operation, colour, alignment, spacing, and physical condition.
Verification that threshold and runway-end fixtures maintain their approved orientation and optical aiming.
Verification of fixture location and spacing against the approved runway lighting layout.
Inspection of centreline fixtures for operational condition, visibility, colour, alignment, cleanliness, and physical damage.
Verification of fixture location and spacing against the approved design/layout.
Inspection of optical orientation and correct aiming of centreline fixtures.
Verification that fixtures are installed at the correct elevation and remain properly seated.
Verification of the applicable colour output and identification of abnormal or degraded colour.
Inspection for dark fixtures, weak output, flickering, partial illumination, or abnormal intensity.
Inspection of touchdown-zone fixtures for operational status, visibility, alignment, cleanliness, and physical condition.
Verification of fixture spacing and location against the approved layout.
Inspection of fixture orientation and optical aiming.
Verification of fixture elevation and pavement seating.
Inspection for abnormal brightness, reduced output, flickering, partial illumination, or outage.
Verification of applicable colour output and identification of abnormal colour conditions.
Inspection of runway guard lights for operational status, visibility, correct flashing operation where applicable, and physical condition.
Verification of fixture orientation and optical aiming.
Verification of applicable flashing sequence, synchronization, and control response.
Inspection for unobstructed visibility and abnormal reduction in visual output.
Inspection of fixture mounting security, seating, fasteners, retaining arrangements, and mechanical stability.
Verification that fixtures are neither excessively proud of the pavement nor recessed beyond acceptable limits.
Inspection of frangible couplings for damage, deformation, corrosion, incorrect installation, or compromised frangibility.
Inspection of base cans for structural condition, corrosion, water accumulation, damage, sealing, mounting, and internal condition.
Inspection for cracked housings, deformation, broken components, impact damage, loose hardware, and other mechanical defects.
Verification that the fixture is correctly seated and securely interfaced with the base or mounting arrangement.
Inspection of lenses, prisms, optical windows, and other optical components for cracking, clouding, contamination, scratches, discoloration, or damage.
Verification that optical surfaces are free from dust, oil, rubber deposits, mud, insects, chemical deposits, and other contamination.
Identification of chipped, cracked, loose, displaced, or missing optical components.
Verification that the optical system has not shifted or become incorrectly oriented.
Inspection of LED modules for operational status, abnormal brightness, dark segments, flickering, colour variation, or visible damage.
For lamp-based fixtures, inspection of lamp operation, filament condition where applicable, discoloration, blackening, and abnormal output.
Inspection of applicable LED driver or power electronics for visible damage, abnormal indications, overheating, or operational anomalies.
Verification that replacement components are correct, compatible, properly installed, and securely fitted.
Inspection of secondary leads for insulation damage, cuts, abrasion, exposed conductors, improper routing, and mechanical stress.
Inspection of connectors for damage, corrosion, loose connections, contamination, moisture ingress, incorrect assembly, and sealing condition.
Inspection of applicable L-823 plug/receptacle assemblies for physical integrity, connection security, moisture protection, and correct installation.
Inspection of cable entry points for sealing, strain relief, mechanical protection, water ingress, and insulation condition.
Verification that cable entry seals and glands remain properly installed and effective.
Identification of moisture, corrosion, contamination, or evidence of water penetration within connector interfaces.
Inspection of fixture exterior and optical surfaces for contamination.
Inspection for water accumulation, condensation, moisture marks, damaged seals, and evidence of water penetration.
Inspection of applicable gaskets and seals for deterioration, displacement, cracking, compression loss, or improper seating.
Inspection of fixtures, base cans, mounting hardware, connectors, and associated metallic components for corrosion.
Identification of rubber deposits, dust, mud, stones, vegetation, insects, and other foreign material affecting the fixture.
Verification of fixture position against approved drawings, coordinates, stationing, or applicable installation records.
Verification of longitudinal and lateral fixture spacing.
Verification of horizontal and vertical orientation.
Verification of fixture elevation relative to the pavement and surrounding surface.
Inspection for movement, rotation, settlement, tilt, or displacement.
Verification that the installation remains consistent with approved design, drawings, specifications, and applicable standards.
Assessment of the photometric performance of runway lighting using the applicable approved inspection/test methodology.
Identification of abnormal reduction or variation in light intensity.
Assessment of uniformity and identification of abnormal intensity variations between fixtures or sections.
Verification of applicable chromaticity/colour performance.
Verification that fixture aiming and optical output remain within the applicable requirements.
Review of measured photometric data against the applicable acceptance/maintenance criteria.
Identification and documentation of fixtures or groups of fixtures showing photometric degradation.
Identification of operational, electrical, mechanical, optical, photometric, and installation defects.
Classification of defects according to operational significance and required response.
Recording of individual and multiple fixture outages.
Recording of runway, side, station/chainage, fixture identification, and exact defect location.
Recording of temporary and permanent corrective actions.
Verification that corrective work has restored the required operational condition.
Every applicable runway fixture should be assessed, where relevant, against the following parameters — the common checklist spine underlying all 76 topics above.
| Parameter | Inspection Requirement |
|---|---|
| Operational Status | ON / OFF / Abnormal |
| Colour | Correct / Abnormal |
| Illumination | Normal / Reduced / Abnormal |
| Alignment | Correct / Misaligned |
| Orientation | Correct / Deviated |
| Location | Correct / Displaced |
| Spacing | Compliant / Deviation |
| Elevation | Correct / High / Low |
| Mounting | Secure / Loose / Damaged |
| Frangible Coupling | Serviceable / Damaged |
| Lens/Prism | Clean / Damaged / Contaminated |
| LED/Lamp | Serviceable / Degraded / Failed |
| Connector | Secure / Damaged / Corroded |
| Secondary Lead | Good / Damaged |
| Base Can | Good / Damaged / Corroded |
| Cable Entry | Sealed / Damaged |
| Water Ingress | None / Suspected / Confirmed |
| Cleanliness | Clean / Contaminated |
| Mechanical Condition | Good / Damaged |
| Photometric Condition | Acceptable / Deficient |
| Defect Classification | Normal / Defective / Unserviceable / Immediate Action Required |
Quick answers about runway lighting inspection in the AGL Inspection Handbook.
Division 02 is the handbook's largest division, with 76 published topics in 14 sections (A–N). It gives a standardized methodology for assessing the operational, photometric, electrical, mechanical, geometric and physical condition of runway lighting and associated components, reflecting runway lighting's status as the most critical AGL asset group.
It covers runway edge, threshold and runway end, centreline, touchdown zone and guard lighting, plus general system inspection, fixture mechanical condition, optical and lens condition, LED/lamp condition, cable, connector and electrical interface, cleanliness and environmental condition, geometry and installation, photometric condition, and defect classification and recording.
Every applicable fixture is assessed against a common checklist that includes operational status, colour, illumination, alignment, orientation, location, spacing, elevation, mounting, frangible coupling, lens/prism, LED/lamp, connector, secondary lead, base can, cable entry, water ingress, cleanliness, mechanical condition and photometric condition. Each parameter has defined status values, such as Correct / Abnormal or Normal / Reduced / Abnormal.
The sequence is review layout, identify fixture, inspect physical condition, verify operation, check geometry, check optical condition, check electrical condition and assess photometric condition. It then continues through classify, record, escalate, correct, verify and close.
Defect status is recorded using the four-level scheme Normal, Defective, Unserviceable and Immediate Action Required, so every observation ends with a clear classification before it is recorded and escalated.
Yes. Section M is dedicated to photometric condition, and the parameter checklist includes a photometric condition status of Acceptable or Deficient, alongside illumination and colour checks.
No. A visual runway lighting inspection must not be treated as a substitute for formal photometric testing, electrical testing, insulation-resistance testing, circuit testing, CCR testing or scheduled preventive maintenance. Where a condition cannot be confirmed visually, it should be escalated for the appropriate technical test or engineering assessment.
Yes. This handbook is an uncontrolled educational reference, not an approved procedure. The airport's approved inspection schedule, SMS procedures, ATC instructions, NOTAM procedures and local aerodrome regulations always take precedence, and the current revision of any official document should be verified before use.
Yes. Each inspection topic has a Download as Word option that produces an uncontrolled Word checklist template (description, a tick-box inspection table and an inspector sign-off block) for personal reference and internal training, to be reviewed and adopted under the user’s own document control.
Runway lighting inspection is where centreline, edge, threshold and touchdown-zone condition awareness begins. Go beyond identifying defects and build the technical knowledge to understand why abnormalities occur, how they affect system serviceability, and when further testing, troubleshooting, maintenance or corrective action is required.
Develop structured knowledge across:
Learn to connect the inspection process with the wider AGL engineering lifecycle.
Inspect with purpose. Understand the system. Act with technical confidence.
Please read before relying on any content on this page or on any record downloaded from it.