Why Airbus & Boeing Wing Strobe Lights Flash Differently?

May 14, 2023

Airbus aircraft use two strobe lights on each wing, whereas only one is used on Boeing aircraft.

Modern airliners are equipped with a variety of lights that are required for the safe operability of aircraft. While some lights are used during a specific time of flight, such as taxiing, others are used throughout the flight.

One such type of light is the strobe light. The (flashing) strobe lights serve as anti-collision lights, alerting the observer from afar. White strobe lights are installed on each wing, typically near the wingtips. A third strobe light is installed at the rear end of the airplane, close to the (APU).

These lights are turned on as soon as the pilot intends to enter the runway for takeoff. During the flight, the strobe lights are designed to attract the eye of pilots of other aircraft to keep a safe distance. The lights are turned off after the aircraft lands and clear the runway. It indicates the departing or approaching traffic that the aircraft has cleared the runway.

The high-intensity lights are the brightest lights on the aircraft. These strobe lights. These lights shine through heavy clouds, fog, and rain, indicating the aircraft's existence in the air. White strobe lights flash at regular intervals during flight.

Airbus aircraft use two strobe lights on each wingtip. The flashing on these lights is programmed to have a close succession between them. On Boeing aircraft, however, only one strobe light is installed on each wing. As such, these lights flash at regular intervals. It is noteworthy that the rear strobe lights also flash in unison with the wing strobes.

Another type of anti-collision light is the red beacon on the top and bottom of the fuselage. These beacons are part of the anti-collision system. The beacons primarily indicate the running of the engines, hence the color red. The ground staff is alerted to stay clear of the aircraft while these beacons are switched on.

The beacons are turned on when the pilot intends to switch on the engines, typically when the aircraft is pushed back from the gate. They are turned off after the aircraft has parked, and the engines are switched off. While beacons can also serve as a way to alert other aircraft, they are much less visible from a distance.

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The navigation lights help the observer determine the aircraft's direction. While beacons and strobe lights show the presence of the aircraft, whether the aircraft is flying toward the observer or away from the observer is determined through green and red nav lights. The green light is on the right (starboard) wingtip, and the red is on the aircraft's left (port) wingtip.

If the observer notices this orientation, the aircraft is moving in the same direction as the observer's aircraft. If the observer sees a red light on the starboard side, the aircraft is flying toward the observer aircraft. While the nav lights are primarily used between sunset and sunrise, pilots commonly keep them on throughout the flying due to varying darkness during flight.

Other aircraft lights are taxi, turnoff, takeoff, and landing lights. There are also logo lights illuminating the aircraft tail at night and inspection lights on wings and fuselage.

What do you think about various lights on aircraft, and how strobes differ between Airbus and Boeing designs? Tell us in the comments section.

Writer - Omar is an aviation enthusiast who holds a Ph.D. in Aerospace Engineering. With numerous years of technical and research experience under his belt, Omar aims to focus on research-based aviation practices. Apart from work, Omar has a passion for traveling, visiting aviation sites, and plane spotting. Based in Vancouver, Canada