The division that answers whether the AGL system actually produces the optical performance it was designed for. Photometry is not a final walk-around to confirm the lights are on — it is a calibrated, methodology-driven measurement process that verifies intensity, beam alignment, colour, uniformity, distribution, visibility and system-specific performance for every runway, taxiway, approach, PAPI and sign system in scope.
Why this is a major division: a fixture can be visibly illuminated and still fail photometric acceptance because of incorrect aiming, inadequate intensity, optical contamination, damaged optics, colour deviation, poor distribution or non-uniform performance. Division 16 treats light intensity, beam alignment, colour, uniformity, photometric compliance and visibility assessment as the framework's core measured parameters — none of which can be confirmed by looking at a lit fixture from the runway.
Every measurement in this division follows the same underlying sequence — from establishing test conditions through to a documented acceptance report — regardless of which lighting system is being tested.
Division 16 runs as a staged measurement programme — each stage below depends on the one before it, and the division closes only once every applicable system has a documented, classified result.
| Stage | What It Confirms |
|---|---|
| Preparation & Readiness | Test scope, methodology, drawings, test points and acceptance criteria are established before measurement begins |
| Equipment & Calibration | Photometric instruments are identified, functional, and within a demonstrable calibration status |
| Measurement Setup | The actual field measurement arrangement matches the approved test methodology |
| Core Photometric Measurement | Intensity, beam alignment, colour, uniformity, distribution and fixture aiming are objectively measured |
| System-Specific Photometry | Runway, taxiway, approach, PAPI and sign systems each meet their own applicable requirements |
| LED Performance | LED-based fixtures perform correctly, not merely appear illuminated |
| Compliance & Analysis | Measured results are classified against an explicit acceptance basis and abnormal results are investigated |
| Acceptance | A complete, evidence-based photometric acceptance report is compiled and signed off |
Two requirement groups should be closed out before the photometric test team starts working through the topic list.
Grouped by verification focus, in the order photometric testing is normally worked — click any topic to expand its verification checks and readiness criteria.
Readiness Criteria: test scope, methodology, acceptance criteria and operational coordination are all confirmed before any photometric measurement begins.
Readiness Criteria: every instrument to be used is identified, physically sound, and confirmed functioning correctly before measurement.
Hold Point: formal acceptance measurements do not proceed on any instrument whose calibration status cannot be demonstrated, or whose certificate serial number does not match the instrument in use.
Readiness Criteria: the field measurement setup matches the approved methodology at every measurement point before readings are recorded as valid.
Readiness Criteria: measured intensity meets the required value at every tested intensity step, with deviations classified and logged.
Readiness Criteria: measured beam alignment matches the designed beam direction within the applicable deviation tolerance.
Readiness Criteria: measured colour meets the applicable chromaticity/performance requirement for each system, verified by objective measurement rather than visual judgement alone.
Readiness Criteria: measured uniformity meets the applicable requirement across the test area, with any deviation traced to a specific cause.
Readiness Criteria: measured photometric distribution corresponds to the approved distribution, with no unexplained missing beam segments or excessive deviation.
Readiness Criteria: photometric aiming verification confirms the resulting optical direction matches the approved requirement, in addition to mechanical alignment.
Readiness Criteria: every applicable runway lighting system meets the required intensity, alignment, colour, uniformity and distribution criteria.
Readiness Criteria: every applicable taxiway lighting system meets the required photometric criteria across its full fixture-to-performance chain.
Readiness Criteria: the approach lighting system meets the applicable requirement as a coordinated optical system, not only at the individual-fixture level.
Readiness Criteria: PAPI photometric performance meets the applicable requirement and is consistent with the alignment and calibration verification recorded under Division 09.
Readiness Criteria: every tested airfield sign meets the required illumination, brightness, uniformity, colour and visibility criteria.
Hold Point: an LED fixture that is illuminated but has not been photometrically verified is not accepted as performing correctly — visible output alone is not proof of compliance.
Hold Point: acceptance criteria must be explicitly stated against every classified result — an unstated or generic threshold is not accepted as a valid compliance basis.
Readiness Criteria: visibility assessment is documented alongside, and consistent with, the objective photometric measurements — not used as a substitute for them.
Readiness Criteria: every abnormal or failed result has a documented investigation, identified cause and corrective action before retest.
Readiness Criteria: the acceptance report provides complete, signed evidence that every applicable system has been measured, evaluated and found compliant — closing Division 16.
The framework's core principle: a fixture can be illuminated and still fail acceptance at any link in this chain. Photometric commissioning is never reduced to "the lights are on and look bright."
When a photometric measurement deviates from the requirement, the same investigation sequence applies across every topic in this division.
Record the raw measured value under the approved methodology.
Confirm the measurement itself, setup and instrument calibration were correct.
Compare against the applicable requirement or approved design value.
Quantify the deviation and classify Pass / Fail / Retest / Investigation Required.
Identify misalignment, contamination, damaged optics, LED degradation, or incorrect setup.
Rectify the fixture, cabling, aiming or setup issue identified.
Re-measure under the same methodology and confirm closure.
Update the defect/punch-list before the system is carried into the acceptance report.
Quick answers about Division 16 — AGL Photometry Testing in the AGL Testing & Commissioning Manual.
Division 16 of the AGL Testing & Commissioning Manual covers AGL Photometry Testing. It is the division that answers whether the AGL system actually produces the optical performance it was designed for. Photometry is not a final walk-around to confirm the lights are on — it is a calibrated, methodology-driven measurement process that verifies intensity, beam alignment, colour, uniformity, distribution, visibility and system-specific performance for every runway, taxiway, approach, PAPI and sign system in scope. It contains 20 topics (TC-PHOTO-001 to TC-PHOTO-020) organised into 7 groups (A–G), each topic with its own verification checks.
A fixture can be visibly illuminated and still fail photometric acceptance because of incorrect aiming, inadequate intensity, optical contamination, damaged optics, colour deviation, poor distribution or non-uniform performance. Division 16 treats light intensity, beam alignment, colour, uniformity, photometric compliance and visibility assessment as the framework's core measured parameters — none of which can be confirmed by looking at a lit fixture from the runway.
Every measurement in this division follows the same underlying sequence — from establishing test conditions through to a documented acceptance report — regardless of which lighting system is being tested. Steps: Test Preparation → Equipment Verification → Calibration → Measurement Setup → Measurement → Analysis → Compliance Assessment → Acceptance Report. Focus areas: Light Intensity; Beam Alignment; Colour; Uniformity; Photometric Compliance; Visibility Assessment.
Division 16 has 20 topics in 7 groups. A — Preparation, Equipment & Calibration: Photometric Test Preparation, Photometric Equipment Verification, Calibration Verification. B — Measurement Setup: Measurement Setup Verification. C — Core Photometric Measurements: Light-Intensity Measurement, Beam-Alignment Measurement, Colour Verification, Uniformity Verification, Photometric Distribution Verification, Fixture Aiming Verification. D — System-Specific Photometry: Runway Photometry, Taxiway Photometry, Approach-Light Photometry, PAPI Photometry, Sign Illumination Verification. E — LED Performance: LED Performance Verification. F — Compliance & Analysis: Photometric Compliance Assessment, Visibility Assessment, Photometric Test-Result Analysis. G — Acceptance: Photometric Acceptance Report.
Division 16 runs as a staged measurement programme — each stage below depends on the one before it, and the division closes only once every applicable system has a documented, classified result. Preparation & Readiness: Test scope, methodology, drawings, test points and acceptance criteria are established before measurement begins; Equipment & Calibration: Photometric instruments are identified, functional, and within a demonstrable calibration status; Measurement Setup: The actual field measurement arrangement matches the approved test methodology; Core Photometric Measurement: Intensity, beam alignment, colour, uniformity, distribution and fixture aiming are objectively measured; System-Specific Photometry: Runway, taxiway, approach, PAPI and sign systems each meet their own applicable requirements; LED Performance: LED-based fixtures perform correctly, not merely appear illuminated; Compliance & Analysis: Measured results are classified against an explicit acceptance basis and abnormal results are investigated; Acceptance: A complete, evidence-based photometric acceptance report is compiled and signed off.
Two requirement groups should be closed out before the photometric test team starts working through the topic list. Reference Package: Approved test drawings, test-point/grid layout and measurement methodology; Applicable specification, regulatory requirement or standard defining acceptance criteria; Fixture identification, circuit and CCR/intensity-step schedule; PAPI alignment and calibration verification records from Division 09; Prior electrical and functional test records confirming fixtures are operational. Equipment & Access: Confirm every photometric instrument to be used has a valid, traceable calibration certificate; Confirm the certificate serial number matches the physical instrument in use; Confirm the correct circuit and intensity step can be energized for the test; Confirm test-area control and required operational/ATC coordination are in place; Do not treat an illuminated fixture as evidence of acceptable performance — verify it.
The framework's core principle: a fixture can be illuminated and still fail acceptance at any link in this chain. Photometric commissioning is never reduced to "the lights are on and look bright." Chain: Correct Fixture → Correct Installation → Correct Aiming → Correct Intensity → Correct Beam Distribution → Correct Colour → Acceptable Uniformity → Required Visibility → Measured Compliance → Documented Acceptance. Photometric Acceptance = Measurement Quality + Calibration + Correct Setup + Intensity + Alignment + Colour + Uniformity + Distribution + System-Specific Photometry + Visibility + Compliance Analysis → Photometric System Accepted.
When a photometric measurement deviates from the requirement, the same investigation sequence applies across every topic in this division. (1) Measurement — Record the raw measured value under the approved methodology; (2) Validation — Confirm the measurement itself, setup and instrument calibration were correct; (3) Comparison — Compare against the applicable requirement or approved design value; (4) Deviation — Quantify the deviation and classify Pass / Fail / Retest / Investigation Required; (5) Cause Investigation — Identify misalignment, contamination, damaged optics, LED degradation, or incorrect setup; (6) Corrective Action — Rectify the fixture, cabling, aiming or setup issue identified; (7) Retest — Re-measure under the same methodology and confirm closure; (8) Record — Update the defect/punch-list before the system is carried into the acceptance report.
Photometry testing confirms that intensity, color, and beam spread meet the standard every pilot relies on.
Build the technical knowledge to understand luminous intensity measurement, isocandela diagrams, color verification, and how photometric results translate into real visual guidance performance.
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