FAA Ground School Practice Test

To set high-intensity runway lights to medium intensity, what should a pilot do?

1. Click the microphone seven times, then click it twice

2. Click the microphone five times, then click it seven times

3. Click the microphone seven times, and then click it five times within five seconds

4. Click the microphone once every second for five seconds

The correct answer is: Click the microphone seven times, and then click it five times within five seconds

To set high-intensity runway lights to medium intensity, the pilot must perform a specific sequence of clicks on the microphone. The correct approach involves clicking the microphone seven times, and then clicking it five times within a five-second window. This sequence is part of the pilot-controlled lighting system that allows pilots to adjust the brightness of the runway lights as needed. The reason this particular sequence works is that runway light systems are designed to recognize different patterns of microphone clicks to adjust their settings. The specific combination of seven and then five clicks communicates to the system the desired intensity change. It is important for pilots to remember this sequence as it is a key part of ensuring visibility when approaching or departing from an airport, especially during night operations or in low-visibility conditions. Understanding the timing and number of clicks is crucial, as deviating from the exact pattern may not yield the desired adjustment in the lights. Therefore, the successful execution of the seven-clicks followed by five-clicks sequence is essential for pilots needing to alter the runway light intensity from high to medium.