...........but mostly I just don't use either of them.
Sure that is why there are lights in the runway.
.....here's a short summary of the use of the different lights on your aircraft from an article I found ......
When to use the strobe lights, beacon lights and navigation lights?
Sitting at the gate with external power or APU running, nav lights only.
Prior to engine start or pushback without an engine running, nav lights and rotating beacon.
Taxi lights are used during taxi only at night as necessary to find your way around the airport.
Landing lights and strobes are turned on once the takeoff clearance has been received.
After takeoff, above 10,000 ft (or FL180 may vary according to company procedures) Landing Lights - OFF (Day & Night)
Descent Check (Below FL180 or 10,000) - Landing Lights - ON (Day & Night)
After Landing & Clear of the runway - Landing Lights & Strobes - OFF
Beacon: On all the time. Fire it up before you start the engine, day or night. To those on the ground, this shows that there is a pilot in the seat and the plane might be preparing to move.
Strobe: On just before you take the active runway (for departure), and off just after you leave the active (after landing). Day or night.
Nav lights: - used to illuminate the panel. Best used from dusk to dawn. I recall reading the tip in the older, better manuals of FS's gone by that if you use the nav lights all the time, you risk burning out a crucial instrument's light (if certain realism settings were enabled).
Landing lights: - typically when in the landing pattern, day or night. Off as soon as possible after you land or after you depart the pattern. It's main purpose is to allow you to be seen by other aircraft while you are in the air on approach. Provides runway visibility for the pilot just prior to touchdown.
..ANON.
..Notice Marlin the bit where it says that the main purpose of LLs is to allow you TO BE SEEN by other aircraft........what I'm trying to say is that unlike Blackpool Illuminations ..the various lights aren't just to there make your kite look pretty...commoner
"In theory, there is no difference between theory and practice. But, in practice, there is."
