flare path
Definition
Noun: A defined pathway on an airstrip or runway, outlined by a series of lights, whose purpose is to guide an aircraft pilot during landing, especially in conditions of low visibility or at night.
Usage
The term "flare path" specifically refers to the illuminated ground installation. It is used in the context of aviation, airfield operations, and piloting. * The control tower activated the flare path as the storm reduced visibility to near zero. * During his night training, the student pilot learned to align the aircraft with the flare path for a safe approach.
Advanced Usage
- Historical Context: The concept of a flare path originated before modern runway lighting systems, sometimes involving actual flares or lanterns to mark the landing area.
- Technical Specification: In modern aviation, a flare path is a standardized configuration of lights (such as approach lights, threshold lights, and runway edge lights) that provide critical visual cues for glide slope, alignment, and distance.
Variants and Related Words
- Runway Lights: A more general term for the lighting system on a runway.
- Approach Lighting System (ALS): A specific, sophisticated type of flare path installed at the beginning of a runway to guide the final approach.
- Visual Approach Slope Indicator (VASI): A system of lights that provides visual descent guidance information, often considered part of the overall guidance system but not the flare path itself.
Synonyms
- Runway lighting
- Approach lights (when referring to that specific segment)
- Landing lights (in a general, non-technical context)
Antonyms
- Unlit runway
- Dark field
Related Phrases
- To follow the flare path: To use the lights as a guide for landing.
- The pilot had to follow the flare path carefully through the fog.
- Flare path identification: The process of locating and confirming the correct illuminated runway.
Noun
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an airstrip outline with lights to guide an airplane pilot in landing
