Narrative:

Captain was pilot flying; executing a HUD CAT III approach for practice. Exiting the overcast at 300 ft AGL; the approach light intensity was on high. Tower was busy with a landing clearance for the aircraft in trail. Finally at about 80 ft; I was able to key the mic and ask the tower to dim the approach lights. He asked us to say again. My first officer then asked him to dim the lights. As near as we could tell; the lights were never dimmed. During hours of IMC; and especially at night; the tower needs to be prepared for this request. Several times over the last few years; I've asked the tower to dim the approach lights; either while landing on 25L or while waiting for takeoff on 25R (the approach lights for 25R are embedded in the runway prior to the displaced threshold); and I've always had to repeat the request because the tower doesn't understand what I'm requesting. Then they have to hunt around for the control to dim the lights. The high intensity lights are very detrimental to night vision; which is critical for these operations. Helpful if the overcast is right down to the ground; but unsafe if the ceiling is up higher. Also; the new taxiway centerline lights on the south airfield are way too bright; and have the same detrimental effect on my night vision. Apparently; they are not dimmable according to the tower on multiple requests; but that modification needs to be made.

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Original NASA ASRS Text

Title: Air carrier on final to LAX voiced concern regarding approach light intensity and ATC's apparent confusion when asked to adjust the subject lighting.

Narrative: Captain was pilot flying; executing a HUD CAT III approach for practice. Exiting the overcast at 300 FT AGL; the approach light intensity was on high. Tower was busy with a landing clearance for the aircraft in trail. Finally at about 80 FT; I was able to key the mic and ask the Tower to dim the approach lights. He asked us to say again. My First Officer then asked him to dim the lights. As near as we could tell; the lights were never dimmed. During hours of IMC; and especially at night; the Tower needs to be prepared for this request. Several times over the last few years; I've asked the Tower to dim the approach lights; either while landing on 25L or while waiting for takeoff on 25R (the approach lights for 25R are embedded in the runway prior to the displaced threshold); and I've always had to repeat the request because the Tower doesn't understand what I'm requesting. Then they have to hunt around for the control to dim the lights. The high intensity lights are very detrimental to night vision; which is critical for these operations. Helpful if the overcast is right down to the ground; but unsafe if the ceiling is up higher. Also; the new taxiway centerline lights on the south airfield are way too bright; and have the same detrimental effect on my night vision. Apparently; they are not dimmable according to the Tower on multiple requests; but that modification needs to be made.

Data retrieved from NASA's ASRS site as of April 2012 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.