An integrated approach to airfield ground lighting
Airfield Ground Lighting (AGL) system calls for a holistic approach to facilitate flight operations to continue around the clock, guiding pilots and supporting operational decision making.”
As air traffic volumes rise and regulatory scrutiny intensifies, airports can no longer afford infrastructure that merely meets minimum compliance standards. Airfield systems today must deliver uninterrupted performance, support rapid operational decision making, and remain reliable over decades of service. Dr. Gaurav Shorey explains how these are achieved through a fully integrated airfield ground lighting (AGL) ecosystem by AMA, engineered for safety, availability, and long-term lifecycle efficiency.
Integration as a design philosophy
The core of our design philosophy is the single-window, system-led approach that we offer to airfield lighting. Rather than treating luminaires, power systems, and guidance aids as independent components, we design their portfolio as a unified ecosystem. The luminaire portfolio offered to airports across India includes LED and halogen lights for approach, runway, taxiway, and apron applications.
Precision approach lighting with built-in redundancy
At the heart of AMA’s portfolio is its Precision Approach Path Indicator (PAPI) system, designed for mission-critical reliability. The four-lamp system incorporates an interleaved circuit technology, delivering true operational redundancy—an advanced feature available from only a handful of global manufacturers. Even in the event of partial circuit failure, the system continues to provide accurate glide-path guidance.
High-precision optics, stable chromatic output, and tight photometric control ensure consistent pilot cues during night operations and low-visibility approaches. Full compliance with ICAO Annex 14 and DGCA CAR requirements makes the system well-suited for both operational deployment and regulatory audits.
Apron efficiency through intelligent guidance
AMA complements its AGL offering with advanced visual docking guidance systems (AVDGS),delivered through its long-term alliance with ADB Safegate, a global leader in airfield lighting. These systems improve aircraft parking accuracy, reduce apron congestion, and support faster turnarounds—critical for capacity-constrained airports seeking efficiency gains without compromising safety.
LED AGL, a reliability-first approach
The transition to LED has enabled airports to shift from reactive maintenance to predictable, low-intervention operations. While energy efficiency is a clear benefit, our range of LED airfield lighting offers both reliability and availability upgrades.
Key operational benefits include service life exceeding 50,000 h, significantly reduced maintenance frequency, and reduced risk of lighting-related NOTAMs (notice to airmen/air missions). At a system level, LED reduces the loading on the constant current regulator (CCR), improves overall power efficiency, increases mean time between failures, and lowers total lifecycle costs. Energy savings are substantial, but the real value lies in enhanced safety, resilience, and operational continuity.
Clear guidance on the ground
AMA’s TGS-ILGS LED slim guidancesignsenhance pilot situational awareness across taxiways and aprons while meeting ICAO and FAA standards. The aerodynamic, low-profile design reduces wind loading and improves stability under jet blast conditions. Maintenance efficiency is built into the design. Precision LED arrays ensure uniform luminance without dark zones or hotspots.
Verifying performance in the field
AMA’s mobile photometric testing services provide on-site verification of intensity, colour, and beam spread, supporting ICAO, FAA, and DGCA compliance audits. These measurements detect degradation or misalignment that cannot be tracked solely through visual inspection. By establishing accurate performance baselines, airports can adopt condition-based maintenance strategies that reduce unplanned outages, extend asset life, and enhance safety during night and low-visibility operations.
For more details, visit: https://amalighting.com/