Why are the lights turned off during Landing and Takeoff on an airplane?

The vast majority of rules and practices in aviation are based on past incidents and unexpected situations. They are examined in detail after they occur. As a result of these researches and examinations, rules that can make aviation safer and more effective are set and implemented.

Because of this process, the motto “the rules of aviation are written in blood” is frequently used. Turning off the lights in the cabin or turning them to a very low level during landing and take-off, especially on night flights, is an application directly related to passenger safety.

When the human eye moves from light to dark environment, it needs a habituation period. During this period, human eye may not be able to see properly. During the landing and take-off stages, where flight is the most dangerous, the lights inside the aircraft are turned off and the human eye is intended to get used to the darkness.

If there is an emergency in flight at these stages, the aircraft may need to be evacuated immediately. In such an emergency, it is aimed for the passengers to follow the lights indicating the emergency exits and find the exit doors as soon as possible.

It should not be forgotten that every second counts when experiencing such an emergency.

Pilots also turn off the lights in the cockpit, especially on night flights, and adjust the lights of the instruments at low levels. In this way, it is aimed that the pilots use their eyes better in the dark and the lights do not turn on until the plane lands and reaches a certain altitude on take-off.

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