The approach to Calicut airport runway is surrounded with hills and valleys. The approach funnel area of the runway 28 is having 30 to 70-meter deep undulated valley up to a distance of 6000-meter, immediately following the tabletop runway of 2850 m long. This terrain needs a special type of Approach guidance lighting system to enhance safety for aircraft operations both during night and poor visibility conditions. Airports Authority of India have provided runway lead-in lighting system for the first time in India at Calicut airport as per the recommendations of DGCA, at a cost of Indian Rupees 170 Lakhs.

The lead-in lighting system is a positive visual guidance to the pilot along a specific approach path for reason such as avoiding hazardous terrain etc. It facilitates the pilot to follow the desired approach path. The system is designed in such way that one group of light is sighted from the preceding group of light and finally lead the aircraft to the proximity of threshold of the runway. As per standards the runway lead in lighting system, consist of groups of lights positioned on the desired approach path at an interval of not more than1600 m on the extended approach path of the runway. The desired approach path could be curved or straight line.

The lead-in-lighting system at Calicut airport provides desired approach path in the extended centerline of the runway and the group of light units are installed on the top of the 30 m high lattice towers at 4 locations :1826 m, 3121 m, 4721 m and 6193 m from the threshold of runway 28. Each group of light consists of three sequential flashing lights in linear configuration. The lead-in-light units are powered through solar power system at each tower locations with battery banks and invertors. The lead-in-light system is planned with radio control units for remote operation. The System operates in three pre-selected intensity level at a flashing rate of 120 flashes per minute to meet the various ambient conditions.

The system has been put into service for night operations since Oct '2003. The Radio Frequency control for remote operations of the system from ATC tower is also planned.

Supplementing the above lead-in lighting system,Solar powered aviation obstruction lights are also provided at 8 critical hilltops around the Calicut Airfield.

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