How is a STOL airport lit?
A short runway gets edge, threshold and end lights, a steeper PAPI, and obstacle, wind and beacon lights, usually without the approach lights of a full runway.
A STOL (short take-off and landing) airport serves aircraft that need only a short ground run. Its lighting is a trimmed-down runway layout: edge lights along both sides, green threshold lights at the landing end and red end lights at the far end, with the edge lights turning yellow over the last 600 m or one-third of the runway, whichever is less (on a short STOL runway, the last third). On a two-way runway each end carries green threshold and red end lights facing opposite directions, and the edge lights near each end show yellow when seen from the opposite end, which is the remote end for that direction of use.
What sets it apart is the approach. STOL aircraft fly a steeper approach, so the PAPI or APAPI is set to the approved approach angle, steeper than the usual 3 degrees, and obstacles in the approach are marked with red obstacle lights. A lit wind indicator and an aerodrome beacon support night use of the field. Approach, centreline and touchdown zone lights are normally left out, because the runway operates as a visual, non-instrument runway.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q1What is a STOL airport lighting layout?
The arrangement of lights at an airport built for short take-off and landing aircraft. It is a reduced version of a full runway layout: a short runway with edge, threshold and end lights, a steeper visual approach slope indicator, and the obstacle, wind and beacon lights needed to use the field at night.
Q2What lights does a STOL airport usually have?
Runway edge lights, green threshold lights and red end lights, a PAPI or APAPI, a lit wind indicator, an aerodrome beacon, and obstacle lights on anything in the approach or take-off area. Where a taxiway or apron is used at night it also gets blue edge lights, a green centreline where provided, and floodlighting.
Q3Why is the PAPI set to a steeper angle at a STOL airport?
STOL aircraft can fly a steeper approach than the usual 3 degrees, and a steep approach helps them clear obstacles before a short runway. The visual slope indicator is set to the approved approach angle that is actually flown, so the pilot sees on slope when the aircraft is on the intended path. That angle comes from the approach design and the regulator, not from aircraft capability alone.
Q4Do STOL airports need approach lights, centreline lights or touchdown zone lights?
Usually not. Touchdown zone lights are required only on CAT II and III precision approach runways. Centreline lights are required on CAT II and III runways and recommended on CAT I runways and on runways used for take-off in low visibility. A STOL runway normally operates as a visual, non-instrument runway, so they are left out and would be added if instrument approaches or low-visibility operations are introduced. A simple approach lighting system may still be provided where practicable.
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