Typhoon nav lights - night ops

[Jonay]

Hi,

Quick question from a local at Lossiemouth that I do not know the exact answer for...

During night time ops, Typhoons have been seen to have flashing nav lights, single blink, sometimes double blink and some have steady nav lights or a mixture of both (in a pair) - does anyone know the difference and reasoning for why the pilot would select the different options?

It it for sequencing or ID on the ground to ATC or is it for formation etc etc?

P.s both the observer and I know the difference between nav lights, strobes, beacons and “slime lights”

[Snoop 95]

I am not the person to answer your question Jonay, but you mention flying in a pair. I once read that when jets are flying in close proximity only one would have strobes and other jets in the formation would use the formation bars. The strobes are too distracting but the formation bars are essential for orientation.

[Bluetail]

The wing tip Nav Lights can be set to flash from either steady or multiple flashes. For example if there are 4 jets going flying, then the "Lead" will have a steady wing tip light, on #2 they will flash twice, #3 flash three times & #4 flash 4 times. Very often we see a pair taxi out, the Lead will be steady and his #2 the Nav lights will be flashing twice. Our assumption is that its a Navigation aid to identify which aircraft are which when part of a formation.

[daggerfan]

I came to the same conclusion as Bluetail but in some instances with multiple aircraft I have also seen the lead aircraft wingtip lights flashing once instead of remaining steady. Not sure if there is any significance in choice of steady or single flash.