Which lighting system aids pilots during the approach to landing?

Approach lighting systems are specifically designed to assist pilots during the final stages of their approach to landing. These lighting systems provide visual guidance by marking the pathway to the runway and enhancing situational awareness, especially in low visibility conditions. They typically include a series of lights arranged in a pattern that leads up to the runway threshold, helping pilots gauge their altitude and alignment with the runway as they descend.

These lights serve to give visual references to pilots, indicating the position of the runway and guiding them during the crucial transition from the approach to landing. By illuminating the approach path, they not only enhance visibility but also improve safety by reducing the risk of misalignment and providing critical information as pilots execute landing procedures.

Other systems, such as obstruction lights or runway edge lights, serve different purposes and do not specifically aid in the approach phase. Obstruction lights are meant to indicate hazards in the airspace, while runway edge lights help identify the runway's lateral boundaries during landing but do not guide the approach itself as effectively as approach lights do. Touchdown zone lights illuminate the area where the aircraft is expected to land, but they are part of the final stages of landing and do not assist with the approach as comprehensively as approach lighting systems.