What is the purpose of Runway Centerline Lights?

Runway Centerline Lights are specifically designed to facilitate landing under adverse visibility conditions. They provide a clear visual aid by illuminating the centerline of the runway, which helps pilots accurately align their approach when visibility is compromised due to weather conditions such as fog, rain, or nighttime operations. The lights are typically white and arranged along the runway centerline, and their consistent illumination assists pilots in staying on the proper path during landing, ultimately enhancing safety.

In contrast, other functions related to runway operations, such as indicating runway length or marking boundaries, are performed by different lighting systems or markings. The centerline lights do not provide information about the length of the runway or define its edges, which is why those choices do not accurately represent the primary function of runway centerline lights.