When an airport specifies its lighting system, it typically needs separate fittings for the runway edge, the threshold, the runway end, the approach centreline, and the side row. That is a lot of different product references to manage, stock, and maintain.

The Airsafe EL-LED range takes a different approach. It is a single product family that covers all of these applications through different configurations. Same body, same build quality, same LED technology. What changes is the beam colour, the optical setup, and where it gets installed.

Ground Mounted: Runway Edge, Threshold, and End

In its most common configuration, the EL-LED is installed directly on the pavement surface, mounted on a frangible coupling that breaks away cleanly in the event of an impact. This is the standard setup for runway edge lights, threshold lights, and end lights.

Ground mounted, the EL-LED sits low with a reduced height profile designed to minimise jet blast impact. The robust aluminium alloy base with anti-corrosion treatment and stainless steel hardware makes it built to last on active runways where it is exposed to weather, vibration, and the constant traffic of aircraft and ground vehicles.

The beam colour changes depending on the application. White for the main runway edge, yellow for the last 600 metres before the runway end, and red for the end lights. All colour configurations use saturated LEDs that maintain clear identification at every brightness level and viewing angle.

Elevated on Airfield Masts or Airfield poles: Approach Lighting

The same EL-LED fitting can also be installed on approach masts, where it becomes part of the approach lighting system that guides pilots during the final phase of descent towards the runway.

Approach lights need to be visible from much greater distances and from steeper angles than runway edge lights. By mounting the EL-LED on masts positioned along the extended centreline before the threshold, the light is elevated to the height that pilots need to see it from, sometimes hundreds of metres before they reach the runway.

In this configuration, the EL-LED can serve as an approach centreline light or a crossbar (side row) light, depending on the mast position and the airport’s approach lighting layout. The fitting meets ICAO Figure A2-9 and A2-10 requirements for CAT I, II, and III operations.

What Makes the EL-LED Versatile

The reason a single product family can cover so many applications comes down to its design. The EL-LED uses a modular optical system where the LED assembly and lens configuration can be adapted to produce different beam patterns and colours without changing the core body, driver, or mounting interface.

This has practical benefits for airport operators. Spare parts commonality across the airfield means less stock to manage. Maintenance teams learn one product instead of five. And procurement becomes simpler because you are dealing with variations of a single reference rather than completely different fittings from different product lines.

Key Specifications

The EL-LED operates on standard 2.8A to 6.6A series circuits, which means it is compatible with existing infrastructure and isolation transformers without requiring replacement. The glass diffuser is rated for high resistance to temperature and abrasion, and the integrated electronics are encapsulated in epoxy resin for long-term protection.

LED source life exceeds 100,000 hours under normal operating conditions, with minimum 60,000 hours at maximum brightness. Light attenuation stays below 30% over the full lifespan. Ingress protection is IP68, which is the highest standard for dust and water resistance.

For airports in cold climates, the EL-LED is available with an optional arctic kit that adds only 5 VA of consumption and keeps the lens clear of snow and ice. An optional «Fail Open» monitoring device is also available for individual lamp fault detection, feeding directly into the airport’s lighting control system.

Compliance

The Airsafe EL-LED range is certified to ICAO Annex 14 Vol. I, FAA AC 150/5345-46, FAA EB 67D, IEC-TS 61827, EASA CS-ADR-DSN, STANAG 3316, and AENA PPT-016_06-12.