You are here:

Aviation/Flying/cabin lights

Advertisement

Expert: Malcolm Dickinson - 4/28/2005


Question
Sir,
I have a question regarding cabin lights in commercial aircraft. When coming in to land during evening/nightime flights, the cabin lights are dimmed just before the plane lands. I wanted to know why this is. I have heard various theories, but wondered what the real reason was. Is it a legal requirement for the planes to do this?

Thanks for your help.
Chris.

Answer
Chris,

I have often wondered about this too. I used Google to search for an answer. I found this answer at http://www.usatoday.com/travel/columnist/getline/2004-10-11-ask-the-captain_x.ht...


This is a safety consideration. In the event it becomes necessary to evacuate the airplane, your eyes are already adjusted. Otherwise, it takes at least several seconds to go from bright light to being able to see in the dark.


best,
Malcolm

Aviation/Flying

All Answers

Answers by Expert:

Ask Experts

Volunteer

Malcolm Dickinson

Expertise

Certified flight instructor and commercial pilot, rated in all categories of aircraft. I specialize in primary instruction in airplanes and gliders; gyroplanes; and transition instruction in Lake Amphibians (seaplanes). As a search-and-rescue pilot with Civil Air Patrol and the Coast Guard Auxiliary, I can offer information on joining and flying with those organizations.

Experience

Experience: As a pilot, earning ratings in all categories of aircraft, including rotorcraft and lighter-than-air. As a flight instructor, instructing eight high-school aged Civil Air Patrol cadets

©2012 About.com, a part of The New York Times Company. All rights reserved.