Mastering Approach Lighting Systems: Key Insights for IFR Pilots

You’ve probably seen runway approach lights at larger airports many times during your training and when flying at night. These systems take on additional importance when flying IFR since they provide the basic means to transition from instrument to visual flight for landing. 

If an approach lighting system is available for a runway, the symbology will be displayed in both the small airport diagram in line with the runway, and in the briefing strip towards the top of the instrument approach chart. You can then refer to the legend in the digital terminal procedures supplement to determine the specifics of the lighting system.

diagram

Approach light systems are a configuration of signal lights starting at the landing threshold and extending into the approach area, at a distance of 2,400 to 3,000 feet for precision instrument runways, and 1,400 to 1,500 feet for non-precision instrument runways. Some systems include sequenced flashing lights which appear to the pilot as a ball of light traveling towards the runway at high speed—nicknamed the rabbit.  

visual guidance systems

Approach light systems deserve special attention twice during each flight. First is during your preflight preparation, when you can determine which system you’ll see for a particular runway. Here’s the ILS Runway 29R approach at Torrance, California.  Notice the A-5 found in the briefing strip on the approach chart.

briefing strip

Now look in the supplement to find that A-5 represents a medium intensity approach lighting system, or M-A-L-S-R, with runway alignment indicator lights. The inverted dark coloring of the A5 symbol means the approach lights are pilot-controlled.

approach light symbology

Approach lighting systems are critical during low ceiling and low visibility conditions when you must decide whether to continue to land or execute a missed approach. If when reaching the minimum descent altitude or decision altitude on the approach and you have the approach lights in sight, you are permitted to descend to 100 feet above the touchdown zone elevation published for the runway. When reaching 100 feet above the touchdown zone, you then must have the runway environment in sight (as specified in § 91.175) and verify the flight visibility is above the published minimums to continue the descent to landing.

If a NOTAM indicates part of the lighting system is out of service, refer to the inoperative components table to make adjustments to the landing minimums. Make it a point to check your destination against the inoperative components table each time you fly IFR to see if the airport has any lighting systems affected.

Remember, these approach lighting systems are an important part of your IFR training. When you arrive at an unfamiliar airport with reduced visibility, let your preflight preparation and knowledge of the various systems lead to quick orientation to the runway. 

Now let’s take a look at the approach lighting systems you are likely to encounter and see what they may look like in a variety of weather conditions.

Approach Light Systems Simulator

Approach Lighting Systems Scenarios

Redbird’s 2025 Flight Training Survey: Costs and Completion Time Hold Steady

Each year, the Redbird State of Flight Training Survey provides valuable insights into the evolving landscape of flight training, and the 2025 report brings some welcome stability. Despite ongoing discussions about the cost and time required to earn a pilot certificate, this year’s data shows that both remain largely unchanged from previous years. The survey results confirm that training expenses have stabilized, and the time needed to complete a Private pilot certification continues to hold steady, providing predictability for students and instructors alike.

What’s it cost to earn a Private pilot cerificate?

About $14,000 is the median cost to earn a Private license according to the survey. That’s even with 2023 and up 12% from 2022.

How about an Instrument Rating? The median cost in 2024 was $12,750. That’s a 6% increase from 2023 and a 34% increase from 2022.

A Commercial certificate cost $28,000 in 2024 which is down 3% from 2023 and up about 6% from 2022.

training costs

The media per hour cost for a training aircraft in 2024 was $180 and the median cost of a line CFI was $65/hour.

hourly rates

How long does it take to earn a certificate?

According to the survey, 24 weeks (about 6 months) is the median length of time to earn a Private license.  That’s even with 2023 and down a month from 2022.

An Instrument Rating took 16 weeks (about 4 months) in 2024 versus 18 weeks (4.5 months) in 2022 and 2023.

The median length of time to earn a Commercial certificate was 28 weeks (4.5 months) which is up by 2 weeks on 2023 and down by 2 weeks on 2022.

training time

What are the current checkride pass rates?

First-time pass rates in 2024 as reported by flight training organizations was 86%. DPEs reported a first-time pass rate of 76% in the survey.

pass rates

The 2025 State of Flight Training Survey can be downloaded at RedBirdFlight.com.

How pilots can use Convective Outlook weather charts to avoid thunderstorms

Convective hazards remain a top consideration for pilots when making the go/no-go decision. The week’s tip looks at the Convective Outlook chart, which provides both short and long-term planning guidance for determining the location and intensity of thunderstorm activity.

The video clip below is from Sporty’s 2025 Learn to Fly Course

Flight Maneuver Spotlight: Traffic Pattern Entry Procedures

Welcome to the latest edition of the Flight Maneuver Spotlight series. Here we’ll highlight the various maneuvers you’ll practice during your flight training and be expected to demonstrate during your checkride.

Each maneuver is part of Sporty’s Learn to Fly Course and includes a narrated video animation, along with step-by-step instructions that include performance standards and common errors. Study them while on the ground or print them for quick reference in the airplane.

ENTRY PROCEDURES

These step-by-step instructions are from Sporty’s Complete Learn to Fly Course, which includes 15 hours of HD video that demonstrates how to fly each maneuver.

 

Engine Failure After Takeoff—What Would You Do?

The VFR Mastery Series from PilotWorkshops is an innovative online training program designed to enhance the skills and decision-making abilities of pilots flying VFR. It offers real-world scenarios that challenge pilots to think critically and apply their aeronautical knowledge to make safe and informed decisions during flight.

In this sample VFR Mastery Scenario, A Swift Decision, you received an extensive checkout in a Globe Swift five years ago when you bought the airplane. During the checkout, and as part of your pre-takeoff briefing, you considered scenarios for an engine failure after takeoff at a variety of altitudes. A pre-takeoff briefing exists to remove hesitation and doubt from split-second emergency decisions after takeoff. The problem is that most real-world departures present several opportunities to go off script. Some of those improvisations could turn an off-field crash into an uneventful runway landing—or a disaster.

Step 1: Watch the overview

Step 2: Review the resources

The pilot is then faced with a decision—and this is when you’re asked what you would do in that situation. You have access to the same information the pilot has in the resources, such as the weather, charts, and even the view ahead at decision time.

Click on the image to view additional resources to help you evaluate your options are available here:

resources

Step 3: Make your choice

Now make your choice, and see what other pilots would choose. 

Step 4: Learn from an expert

Subscribers to the VFR Mastery scenarios can continue to an audio recording of a roundtable discussion where five additional experts offer their opinions on the best choice. And it’s rare that all the experts agree (although one might agree with your choice). The highlights from these roundtables are compiled for each scenario for anyone without time that month to play the whole thing. Subscribers can continue the discussion among themselves along with the experts in a dedicated forum and have access to quizzes as well as all previous scenarios.

If you are interested in learning more or subcribing to VFR Mastery scenarios from PilotWorkshops, click the banner below and begin your free trial.

VFR Mastery

How to calculate airplane weight and balance: Pilot video tutorial

Take the time to compute the total weight of the airplane and center of gravity (CG) before every flight, based on the number of occupants, baggage and fuel and where each item is positioned in the airplane. This week’s tip takes a look at how to compute a typical weight and balance calculation and how to verify the results are within limits.

The video clip below is from Sporty’s 2025 Learn to Fly Course