Definition
A system at certain airports that allows the pilot to turn on or adjust the intensity of runway and approach lighting from the cockpit by keying the aircraft's radio microphone a specified number of times on a designated frequency, typically the airport's Common Traffic Advisory Frequency (CTAF). Standard activation is seven mic clicks within five seconds for high intensity, five clicks for medium, and three clicks for low.
Plain English
At some smaller or unattended airports, the runway lights are off until a pilot switches them on by pressing the radio transmit button a set number of times on the right frequency. The number of clicks also controls how bright the lights are.
Context Anchor
Seen on airport diagrams, airport sketches, chart notes, and airport facility information, especially for night arrivals or operations at airports without a control tower operating.
Why Pilots Care
Allows safe night and low-visibility operations at smaller or remote airports while keeping energy use low by leaving lights off until needed.
Grounding Statement
If the airport is dark at night, PCL may be the method that wakes the lights up before you arrive.
Intuition Check
Pilot-controlled does not mean there is a light switch in the cockpit. Here it means the pilot sends a radio signal by clicking the transmit button on the correct frequency.
Example Sentence 1
On the way into the unattended field at night, she clicked the mic seven times on the CTAF and watched the runway lights come up bright.
Example Sentence 2
Before starting the night approach the crew activated the pilot-controlled lighting on the CTAF so the runway would be visible.