UFO'S 101: AIRCRAFT LIGHTS

 Aircraft have adopted standardized safety lighting systems to maintain passenger and aircraft safety while in flight. The Federal Aviation Administration, and others, have developed a global awareness of the need for standard lighting so that pilots flying blind - without instrumentation - can see other craft in the air. Problems with equipment often create a temporary situation where what is seen and comprehended through the view screen of the cockpit is vital to survival. 

When reviewing reports investigators would often look for those colors as a clue to what had been seen - and misinterpreted - by a witness. "Red, White, Green, Blue" in descriptions allowed a quick assumption to be made that the witness had seen an aircraft.

These lights are called "anti-collision" lights. 

 

An aircraft coming towards you: Right side = Red. Left = Green. "Right is Red"

An aircraft moving away from you: White = Both Wing tips . "White - Out of Sight"

An aircraft moving across your field of vision to the right: A green light on the wing tip.

An aircraft moving across your field of vision to the left: A red light on the wing tip.

An aircraft that may have its landing gear in operation may also display a strobe light below center. This is a blindingly white light that sometimes had been identified as a blue-white light. 

Other vehicles because of confirmation of the aircraft may show a slightly different ratio of distance of the lights but FAA regulations dictate the lights will be seen in the manner described. 

Occasionally, other lights and colors have been seen and that is when it becomes more interesting.

In some cases, in the late 1950's and early 1960's objects were seen with a PURPLE light, most of these cases remain unknown.

An all red and glowing red object conforms to no known aircraft lighting pattern approved by the FAA. Yet, that is a re-occurring light pattern in many, many reports, many of which are unknowns.

See an excellent article on strange craft lights at The Night Flyer: A Report of Odd Blue Lights and a “Mystery Plane” | Mysterious Universe and see also AC 20-30B - Aircraft Position Light and Anticollision Light Installations – Document Information (faa.gov)

Also refer to  - - Aircraft Marker Lights - An Identification Primer : UFObelievers (reddit.com)

To Do: Practice going outside into various locations where aircraft might be visible and begin to observe and note lights, shapes, sounds, and perspectives when observing planes or aircraft. Learn to identify the light configurations, movement patterns, and distance aspects. Listen for sounds made, sounds delayed, or totally absent. Notice the flight path characteristics. Notice the motion of the lights (blink or steady?).

Once a person has fully grasped the use and placement of such lights what is seen in the night sky will become more clear and it will be easier to speak with confidence if there is something seen that does not fit the required lighting requirements or moves in out of the ordinary ways.