How long do Pilot Controlled Lighting (PCL) stay on after activation?

How long do Pilot Controlled Lighting (PCL) stay on after activation?

• A. 60 minutes
• B. 5 minutes
• C. 30 minutes
• D. 15 minutes

Answer: (D)

PCL lights are designed to run for a short, fixed period after you activate them, so they don’t stay on forever. When you key the mic to turn the lights on, a timer starts and the lights remain illuminated for a typical fifteen-minute interval. After those fifteen minutes, they automatically switch off to conserve energy and reduce light pollution. If you need more time, you generally re-key to start another interval, though the exact method can vary by airport. The other durations listed aren’t the standard default for most PCL systems.

PCL lights are designed to run for a short, fixed period after you activate them, so they don’t stay on forever. When you key the mic to turn the lights on, a timer starts and the lights remain illuminated for a typical fifteen-minute interval. After those fifteen minutes, they automatically switch off to conserve energy and reduce light pollution. If you need more time, you generally re-key to start another interval, though the exact method can vary by airport. The other durations listed aren’t the standard default for most PCL systems.