On my first time on a night plane, I was surprised when takeoff, the cabin lights was dimmed or even off. It suddenly got dark inside and outside. Some babies were crying. Some people had better sleep like my father. I was wonder why they do that. On the day flight it might be not really different, but in the night, it was so obvious.

Later, I figure out that dimmed the cabin lights during takeoff and landing was a protocol. Like many airplane features, it is a safety precaution. It applies to worst-case scenarios.

“During dawn, dusk and night, flight crews dim the lights, so that in case of an emergency where passengers and the flight crew have to abandon the aircraft, their eyes already are adjusted to the dark,” says Dan Bubb, PhD, a former airline pilot, and expert on commercial aviation and airport history.

It can take 5 to 10 minutes for someone’s eyes to adjust to the dark, if they have been in bright light conditions. Therefore, if passengers and crew have to act fast in an emergency, their eyes will be acclimated to the dimmer lights and lower visibility in the cabin. When the overhead lights are turned off, it’s also easier for passengers to see emergency exit lights, including those running along the aisle floor.

Why dimmed the cabin light during takeoff and landing only?

Since the most cautious things when flying is during takeoff and landing. In fact, 21% of fatal accidents occur at takeoff and initial climb, and 46% of all fatal accidents occur during final descent and landing.

“Takeoff and landing are the most critical phases of flight because so much is happening for pilots,” says Bubb about the disconcerting figures. “This includes monitoring aircraft systems, scanning the airport environment for other aircraft and impediments while listening to air traffic control instructions, and being prepared in case we have to abort the takeoff or reject the landing.”

Additionally, these two flight phases are when the aircraft is in “dirty configuration,” which is industry-speak for when wing flaps and landing gear are down. The airplane is also flying at a lower speed at these times. “If the pilots are not paying attention, and the aircraft flies too slowly, it will lose lift and do what we call a stall.” And stalls have resulted in deadly crashes.

However, airplane is still considered as the safest transportation. According to the International Air Transport Association, the fatality risk is so low. A person would need to take a flight every day for 25,214 years to experience a 100% fatal accident.

Any other reasons why the plane dimmed the cabin lights?

During night flight, we should consider that lights will be dimmed. However, after takeoff, the lights will on again. It is the time the passengers find comfort of their flight. They can go to toilet, order food, choose a movie, or trying to sleep. After few moments, the lights will be dimmed again. It is for save the energy and, of course fuel.

Actually, plane turn on the external lights during takeoff and landing so that other planes can see each other’s. After that, the external lights will be turn down in order not to burn out. When touch the land, the landing lights will be turn off, so that not disturbing other pilots because it is really bright. 

After knowing the reason why the airline crew dim the cabin light during takeoff and landing,  I become more tolerable in the night flight. I hope you too. Enjoy your next night flight!

Source: 

https://www.rd.com/article/why-planes-dim-lights-before-takeoff-and-landing/

photo source: google