The Aerial ID Guide: What’s That Light in the Sky?
Beginner’s Guide to Aerial Identification Futurism
Contents:
- Introduction: Planet Earth’s Future Aerial ‘Lawscape’
- Lighting Requirements for Aircrafts (as of 2024)
- 10 Common Aerial Aircrafts (as of 2024)
- 13 Uncommon Aerial Aircrafts (as of 2024)
Introduction: Planet Earth’s Future Aerial ‘Lawscape’
The increasingly popular field of aerial technology is on the brink of change that many have awaited for a long time: not just the arrival of drones, but their total integration into our daily human lives.
As of 2024, planet Earth’s aerial landscape is now varied.
Therefore, educating civilians about how to recognize the different behaviors of these aircrafts can improve our understandings of aerial technologies in preparation for the future.
As of 2024, the legal frameworks of our ‘separated’ skies aren’t quite ready for a total drone-takeover — at least, not yet.
Humanity must revise existing aerial laws, and enact new ones, in order to accommodate the influx of newer innovative aerial technologies that are to come.
It’s not just about drones, after all.
The spectrum of aerial technologies demanding legal attention is great, which further complexifies our now multidimensional ‘aerial lawscape.’
Lighting Requirements for Aircrafts (as of 2024)
Navigation Lights (for visibility):
- Red, green, and white lights indicating aircraft position and direction.
- Red on the left wing, green on the right wing, white on the tail.
Anti-Collision Lights (for visibility):
- Emit bright flashes or steady beams.
- Includes strobe lights on wingtips, tail, or fuselage.
Landing Lights (to illuminate runway):
- Bright white lights.
- Supplemented by taxi lights or runway edge lights.
Beacon Lights (for visibility):
- Intermittent flashes of red or white light.
- Mounted on top and bottom of the fuselage.
Wingtip Lights (for visibility):
- Additional position and strobe lights on wingtips.
- Enhance visibility by outlining aircraft extremities.
Taxi Lights (to illuminate taxiway):
- Mounted on nose gear or wings.
- Bright white lights.
Logo Lights:
- Mounted on the aircraft’s tail.
- Illuminate airline’s logo or markings.
Runway Turnoff Lights (to illuminate runway exit/taxiway intersections):
- Located on landing gear or wings.
10 Common Aerial Aircrafts (as of 2024)
#01. Drone (UAV):
- Lights: Blinking white, red, green.
- Behavior: Hover or move erratically.
Environmental Monitoring:
- Lights: Blends with surroundings, specialized sensors.
- Behavior: Pre-defined paths, systematic scans.
#02. Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS):
- Lights: Blinking white, red, green; mission-specific.
- Behavior: Hover, programmed paths, dynamic maneuvers.
#03. Private Airplane:
- Lights: White landing, red and green navigation.
- Behavior: Consistent speed, altitude, direction.
#04. Commercial Airplane:
- Lights: White landing, red and green navigation, flashing strobes.
- Behavior: Consistent speed, altitude, direction.
#05. Military Cargo Aircraft:
- Lights: White landing, red and green navigation, flashing strobes; mission-specific.
- Behavior: Formation flying, low-altitude maneuvers, tactical operations.
#06. 911 Services Helicopter:
- Lights: Flashing red and white, sometimes searchlights.
- Behavior: Rapid response, low-altitude, circling/hovering.
#07. Law Enforcement Helicopter:
- Lights: Flashing or steady blue and white.
- Behavior: Aerial surveillance, patrolling, ground support.
#08. EMS Helicopter:
- Lights: Flashing red and white, sometimes blue.
- Behavior: Rapid response, low-altitude, remote/emergency landing.
#09. Search and Rescue (SAR) Aircraft:
- Lights: Flashing or steady white, red, sometimes blue; mission-specific.
- Behavior: Search patterns, low-altitude, searchlights.
#10. Crop Dusters:
- Lights: Bright white.
- Behavior: Low-altitude, patterned flight paths.
13 Uncommon Aerial Aircrafts (as of 2024)
What isn’t a ‘drone’?
What’s in-use?
What’s simply in the ‘evolving’ stages?
While ‘drones’ have captured the global spotlight, there are other aerial technologies emerging — each with their own implications for regulation and oversight due to their unique differences and selective uses.
For example:
#01. Urban Air Mobility (UAM):
Urban air transportation system.
#02. Electric Vertical Takeoff and Landing (eVTOL) Aircraft:
Vertically taking off and landing aircrafts that use electric propulsion.
You can find detailed more images of eVTOL models through the following post published by “The Vertical Flight Society” copied below:
The Vertical Flight Society has posted several additional photo albums of eVTOL aircraft and events at https://gallery.vtol.org/albums.
These VFS and industry events highlight the latest developments from several of the leading developers in the advanced air mobility (AAM) industry:
1. AAM Infrastructure Workshop, Sept. 20–21: https://gallery.vtol.org/album/HL3l
2. AAM Infrastructure Workshop Tour, Sept. 22: https://gallery.vtol.org/album/HF8A
3. Tier 1 e-R44 flight to Palm Springs, Oct. 29: https://gallery.vtol.org/album/J88Z
4. Joby @ Marina Airport, Nov. 15: https://gallery.vtol.org/album/HRKx
5. Archer Maker flight demo, Nov. 16: https://gallery.vtol.org/album/Hk58
6. Archer Maker 2 walkaround, Nov. 16: https://gallery.vtol.org/album/HBac
7. Archer Midnight unveiling pre-brief, Nov. 16: https://gallery.vtol.org/album/H5FS
8. Archer Midnight unveiling, Nov. 16: https://gallery.vtol.org/album/HTQ3
9. Wisk headquarters, Nov. 17: https://gallery.vtol.org/album/HSJD
These photos, taken by VFS, are provided to the community royalty free under the Creative Commons copyright license CC-BY SA 4.0, with attribution to “The Vertical Flight Society.”
—The Vertical Flight Society (Nov 2022)
#03. High-Altitude Platforms (HAPs):
High-altitude stations for communication, surveillance, scientific purposes.
#04. Stratospheric Balloons for Remote Connectivity:
Balloons in the stratosphere for remote communication, internet access.
#05. Experimental Aerial Platforms for Scientific Research:
Aircraft for atmospheric studies, environmental monitoring.
#06. Personal Flying Devices:
Individual-sized aircraft, such as jetpacks or personal air vehicles.
#07. Personal Aerial Vehicles (PAVs):
Small aircraft for personal transportation.
#08. Aerial Photography and Videography Drones:
UAVs with cameras for filmmaking, photography, surveillance.
#09. Aerial Taxis:
On-demand urban air travel using eVTOL aircraft.
#10. Special Use Airspace (SUA):
Airspace with restricted access for military training, testing.
#11. Fixed-Wing Drones:
UAVs with fixed wings for surveillance, mapping, inspections.
#12. Dirigibles:
Airships (zeppelins) with gas-filled envelopes, propulsion.
#13. Remote Sensing Platforms:
Aircraft or satellites with sensors for data collection on Earth’s surface and atmosphere.
References
- Federal Aviation Administration. (2024). FAA regulations and guidelines. U.S. Department of Transportation. Retrieved from https://www.faa.gov/regulations_policies
- International Comparative Legal Guides. (2024). Aviation laws and regulations. Global Legal Group. Retrieved from https://iclg.com/practice-areas/aviation-laws-and-regulations/usa/
In Conclusion,
The variety of aircraft in our skies is a valuable topic to study as we enter a new era of advancements.
Why?
It’s like knowing the different types of vehicles on a busy road — it helps us ensure our own safety, plan accordingly, and learn how to coexist with these future aircraft in a way that’s beneficial for us.
When faced with the inevitabilities of life, it’s better to learn sooner rather than later.
Thank you — your engagement with my work is deeply appreciated.
Authored, edited, formatted, and researched by E. Silvers.
Discover more from E. Silvers on Medium here.
