Beacon Beacon lights are flashing red lights fitted on the top and bottom
fuselage of an aircraft usually on larger passenger aircraft. Their purpose is to alert ground crew and other aircraft that an engine is starting up, running or shutting down, or that the aircraft is about to start moving. Some spin to produce the flashing effect, increasing the chance they will be noticed. Beacon lights are bright enough to be seen from the ground, and can be used to identify aircraft from the ground in dark or overcast conditions where the plane itself is not completely visible.
Strobe Strobe lights are flashing white lights on the furthest left, right and, on larger aircraft and some smaller ones, back points of an aircraft. They are the brightest lights on the aircraft, and are used to signal that an aircraft is entering or approaching an active runway, or for
visibility in dark, clear sky. They are sometimes turned off in cloud or fog, as they can further obscure the pilot's view outside the aircraft by
reflecting off
water droplets. ==See also==