Aircraft Hangar Lighting

LED Hangar Lights

We carry a variety of top quality indoor and outdoor LED hangar lights that are weatherproof and dustproof rated. These industrial quality lights provide bright illumination with high energy efficiency that’s dispersed with a specialized lens to avoid distracting pilots and pedestrians. Browse our selection of hangar lighting fixtures or get a free professional lighting plan from our industrial lighting experts.

What is Hangar Lighting?

Hangar lighting refers to the specific type of lighting used in aircraft hangars, both large and small, to ensure optimal visibility for maintenance, repair, and inspection of aircraft. Proper illumination is crucial for the safety and effectiveness of operations within the hangar, as technicians and mechanics need to be able to clearly see all parts of the aircraft to perform their work accurately.

The lighting should be bright enough for workers to see fine details and work in shadowed areas under the wings and fuselage, but not so bright that it causes glare or creates dark spots that could interfere with visibility. This lighting also needs to be energy-efficient and durable, adhering to aviation safety and workplace illumination standards.

What Kind of Lights Are Used for Hangar Lighting?

For aircraft hangars, the most common types of lights used are UFO LED high bay lights or linear LED lights. These lights are chosen for their high luminosity and energy efficiency, essential for illuminating large spaces uniformly. They often come with features like dimming capabilities and are durable enough to withstand the hangar environment.

The lighting in aircraft hangars is designed to be long-lasting, to minimize maintenance and replacement needs, and to comply with aviation safety and workplace illumination standards.

Professional Aircraft Hangar Lighting Design

Here’s an example of a 3D hangar lighting photometric design constructed by our professional lighting engineers. In this example, nine 210W UFO High Bay Lights were used in a 37x46 aircraft hangar with a 22 foot ceiling resulting in an average of 112fc illumination.

Aircraft Hangar Dimensions: 37 ft x 46 ft
Aircraft Hangar Ceiling Height: 22 ft
Fixture Type: 210W UFO High Bay Lights (9 PCS)
Fixture Count: 9 PCS
Fixture Certifications: UL, DLC Premium
Aircraft Hangar Illumination: 112 fc

Aircraft Hangar Dimensions: 60 x 60 ft
Aircraft Hangar Ceiling Height: 22 ft
Fixture Type: 13 210 Watt LED UFO High Bays
Fixture Count: 13 PCS
Fixture Certifications: UL, DLC Premium
Original Aircraft Hangar Illumination: 28.8fc
New Aircraft Hangar Illumination: 85.6fc

Hangar Lighting Requirements

The recommended level of brightness for aircraft hangars can depend on various factors, such as the size of the hangar, the types of aircraft housed, and the nature of the work being conducted. It's also crucial for the lighting to be evenly distributed throughout the hangar to ensure there are no dark spots or overly bright areas that could affect visibility and safety. This is typically achieved by strategically positioning multiple light fixtures across the hangar's ceiling and sometimes incorporating additional task lighting in specific work areas.

In terms of specifics, there are no universally accepted standards like the Illuminating Engineering Society (IES) but general industrial lighting standards often apply. These might suggest lighting levels in the range of 300-500 lux for general maintenance areas, with higher levels, possibly up to 1000 lux or more, for precision work areas or inspection bays. However, the actual requirements can vary depending on factors like the complexity of the maintenance tasks, the paint colors used inside the hangar (which can affect light reflection), and the specific safety requirements of the aviation industry.

There is also a section on lighting contained within the Aircraft Hangar Development Guide by AOPA Airport Support.

Interior Hangar Lighting

When setting up lighting for the inside of an aircraft hangar, it's crucial to achieve the right balance between visibility and a comfortable working environment. Bright, evenly distributed light ensures that maintenance personnel can see every part of the aircraft clearly and consistently, no matter where they are working in the hangar. However, the light should not be so intense as to cause glare or excessively heat the indoor space.

We offer indoor aircraft hangar lights that are protected against dust and use specialized lenses to disperse light in a way that’s bright yet non-intrusive for maintenance visibility. These lighting fixtures are commonly known as LED High Bay Lights. The indoor hangar lights may also incorporate protective features to guard against damage from equipment or tools.

Exterior Hangar Lighting

For outdoor aircraft hangar lighting, the fixtures should be weather-resistant and capable of withstanding conditions like rain, wind, and temperature fluctuations. It's also important to consider the impact of the lighting on the surrounding environment and to position the lights in a way that minimizes light pollution and glare outside the hangar.

We use outdoor aircraft hangar lights that are IP66 Rated, ensuring durability in harsh weather conditions. These lighting fixtures are often referred to as LED Flood Lights with sufficient power to illuminate a wide area.