Definition
A cockpit indication system that uses illuminated lights to alert the pilot to specific aircraft conditions or configurations, such as landing gear position, low fuel, or other system states requiring attention. In the approach and landing context, the term most often refers to the landing gear position lights, which show whether the gear is up, down and locked, or in transit.
Plain English
A set of lights in the cockpit that tell the pilot when something needs attention, like whether the landing gear is down and locked before landing.
Context Anchor
Seen during cockpit checks, approach, landing, and any situation where the airplane uses panel lights to alert the pilot to a problem.
Why Pilots Care
Provides immediate visual notice of problems that could affect aircraft safety during approach and landing.
Intuition Check
Do not think of a warning light system as just a reminder light. In an aircraft, it is an installed alert tied to aircraft conditions that may affect safety.
Example Sentence 1
On final approach, the pilot checked the warning light system and confirmed three green lights, indicating the landing gear was down and locked.
Example Sentence 2
A red light appearing in the warning light system during final approach indicated the landing gear was not fully extended.