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An MD80 captain reported multiple flight crews requested that the atl runway 9L runway lights be dimmed for evening takeoffs in low ceilings and fog. The local controller advised they were unable to do so per the FAA. On their subsequent takeoff the reporter found the intense reflected light made it difficult to read the flight instruments.
| Attributes | |
| ACN | 1246898 |
| Time | |
| Date | 201503 |
| Local Time Of Day | 1801-2400 |
| Place | |
| Locale Reference | ATL.Airport |
| State Reference | GA |
| Environment | |
| Flight Conditions | IMC |
| Light | Night |
| Aircraft 1 | |
| Make Model Name | MD-80 Series (DC-9-80) Undifferentiated or Other Model |
| Operating Under FAR Part | Part 121 |
| Flight Phase | Takeoff |
| Flight Plan | IFR |
| Person 1 | |
| Function | Captain Pilot Flying |
| Qualification | Flight Crew Air Transport Pilot (ATP) Flight Crew Flight Engineer |
| Experience | Flight Crew Last 90 Days 125 Flight Crew Total 18000 Flight Crew Type 1300 |
| Events | |
| Anomaly | ATC Issue All Types Ground Event / Encounter Other / Unknown |
Narrative:
Low visibility evening in atl with low ceilings and fog. While in line for takeoff we heard two preceding aircraft request the tower to dim the runway lights while they were waiting for takeoff clearance. Controller responded that [they] couldn't reduce intensity due to FAA rules. We were [cleared] to line up and wait on runway 9L. As we waited for takeoff I; too; found the new led lights extremely bright. During the takeoff roll as the first officer made required 80 knot callout I cross checked my airspeed indicator and was surprised that the outside lighting was so bright it was very difficult for me to read my flight instruments. During climbout we heard the following aircraft request the lights be dimmed also. I believe the tower controller needs the authority to dim the runway lights when asked repeatedly by departing flight crews. The new led lights can be so bright they become a hindrance to safe operations.
Original NASA ASRS Text
Title: An MD80 Captain reported multiple flight crews requested that the ATL Runway 9L runway lights be dimmed for evening takeoffs in low ceilings and fog. The Local Controller advised they were unable to do so per the FAA. On their subsequent takeoff the reporter found the intense reflected light made it difficult to read the flight instruments.
Narrative: Low visibility evening in ATL with low ceilings and fog. While in line for takeoff we heard two preceding aircraft request the tower to dim the runway lights while they were waiting for takeoff clearance. Controller responded that [they] couldn't reduce intensity due to FAA rules. We were [cleared] to line up and wait on runway 9L. As we waited for takeoff I; too; found the new LED lights extremely bright. During the takeoff roll as the First Officer made required 80 knot callout I cross checked my airspeed indicator and was surprised that the outside lighting was so bright it was very difficult for me to read my flight instruments. During climbout we heard the following aircraft request the lights be dimmed also. I believe the tower controller needs the authority to dim the runway lights when asked repeatedly by departing flight crews. The new LED lights can be so bright they become a hindrance to safe operations.
Data retrieved from NASA's ASRS site and automatically converted to unabbreviated mixed upper/lowercase text. This report is for informational purposes with no guarantee of accuracy. See NASA's ASRS site for official report.