Why do aircraft pilots switch off cabin lights while take-off and landing?

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skyhigh

All wrong. First, it is the flight attendants that turn the lights on and off. The reasons you guys come up with are killing me!

It's for no reason other than cabin ambiance. That's it.

sugarfree_eyes

I saw a similar question posted some time ago and here is the response:

Because FAA regulations have specific lighting requirements for planes (as in tall lights, head lights, wing tip lights) that must be observed below a certain altitude in order to easily determine the orientation of the airplane. The interior lights will shine through the windows and may confuse other pilots/control tower who are trying to figure out which way a plane is heading.

link:
http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index?qid=1006060205067

hotchocredrose

I think its for saving power because maximum power is required before take off.

captain

for safety purpose

Pokkiri

to have clear view because when it takes off the headlight of the other plane which is landing would hit the pilot eyes and may cause glare. Also, while landing the same reason.

Capt_Prabhudev

Two reasons -

In the interest of safety, passengers need to have a clear view of what is happening outside, a dim light allows the eyes to adjust itself for this purpose.

& to save power as maximum electric power is required during take off when several complex electrical equipments & high intensity lights are used.

glock509

to have all availiable electrical power routed to navagation and other safety equipment

Mark n

It is to do with the air traffic regulations of not having conflicting light sources making a confusion for saftey.

SUE N

For the safety reasons.

Rusty (Bustle-girl)

So the flight crew and passengers are accustomed to the lighting outside the aircraft in the event of an emergency and have to evacuate the aircraft. Same reason that the window shade should be up for take off and landing, so the flight crew can see out and assess the situation if an emergeny arose.

Mardy

I think the restriction occurs only at night.

It could be to prevent light entering the cockpit and messing up the pilots' night vision if the cockpit door was suddenly opened while the plane was landing or taking off.

But if this restriction applies on a 747, then either the rule is stupid or my hypothesis is wrong

ginger13

I guess is to save electric power.

Priya

Because They dont want to see eachother dieng if it was last journey of that aircraft.
Hahaha..

JUAN FRAN$$$

So they can see the runway better. Try this. get somewhere there is little or no light at night and you can safely stop your car.

Then stop and turn off your headlights, Let your eyes adjust to the darkness, then turn on your inside lights and try to see out off the windshield. You will find you are blinded by the inside lights. That is the same with pilots.

Eleni del Egeo

It's just a matter of saving power taking off.

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