Lights dimmed for take off

Fratton Fred

Why?

I have never really thought about this until this morning, but why do they do this and open all the blinds, is it so assist emergency services if there's a problem?

afatbollix

see of there is fire on board..

Base

There are a number of reasons but the main ones, as far as I'm concerned anyway, are in terms of lighting, to allow your eyes to adjust to the outside ambient lighting levels in case of evacuation. With the window blinds, yes it's to allow better visibility - both inwards for emergency services and probably more importantly outwards for passengers to identify any hazards if they do have to evacuate. It's not standard practice across the aviation industry worldwide so for that reason alone, there's always going to be arguments as to the definitive reasons and the merits of doing it!

*Kol*

Base wrote: »

There are a number of reasons but the main ones, as far as I'm concerned anyway, are in terms of lighting, to allow your eyes to adjust to the outside ambient lighting levels in case of evacuation. With the window blinds, yes it's to allow better visibility - both inwards for emergency services and probably more importantly outwards for passengers to identify any hazards if they do have to evacuate. It's not standard practice across the aviation industry worldwide so for that reason alone, there's always going to be arguments as to the definitive reasons and the merits of doing it!

Plus it allows any ambient light into the cabin so that you dont have to rely on only the emergency lights in the event of an incident. Any bit of light entering the cabin helps in an emergency.

andy_g

when i was in training we were always told for takeoff and landing that if any pax onboard see smoke or fire they are part of the first line of defence also it helps in a evacuation so that your eyes will be adapted to the outside lighting conditions

Fratton Fred

thanks guys. that kind of confirms my own thoughts, but I thought there might be something more to it.

ian_m

Thumbs up to an educational thread.

White_Feather

the dimming of lights for take off and landing is a safety procedure. the floor strip lighting is illuminated, so will make it easier to see in case of an emergency.

having the window blind up is also a safety procedure. If for instance, there was a fire in an engine, the cabin crew would not be able to see it. Passengers would prob notice! and also, any light helps in the event of an emergency!

A320-200

mikemac wrote: »

Maybe a daft comment but I was told it was to save power for takeoff

You're probably thinking of packs. Packs off=more T/O thrust available. Packs on=slightly less. The load on the AC gens has no impact on available thrust.

FlutterinBantam

Just remember to switch the fcukers back on though:eek::eek:

Darwin

This does not seem to be part of the SOP for Ryanair - I have noticed they don't usually bother with dimming cabin lights on take off.

EoinC010

Darwin wrote: »

This does not seem to be part of the SOP for Ryanair - I have noticed they don't usually bother with dimming cabin lights on take off.

They do on night flights...

andy_g

Darwin wrote: »

This does not seem to be part of the SOP for Ryanair - I have noticed they don't usually bother with dimming cabin lights on take off.

we do dim the lights i tend to remind my cabin crew to do it if not i might pull my circuit breaker next flight hehe