GACA’s New Lighting Standards - How Saudi Owners Can Comply

GACA’s latest update to airfield ground and obstruction lighting standards changes the compliance landscape for Saudi airport owners. The new checklist adds performance thresholds, testing intervals and documentation rules that must be met before any lighting system can be placed into service. Northlane Solutions helps you meet those rules without surprise delays.

Why the update matters now

The Saudi General Authority of Civil Aviation released the revised standards through its online portal (see the Forms section on the GACA website). The changes reflect international best practice, newer LED technology and tighter safety margins for night operations. For owners, the shift means older lighting inventories may no longer satisfy the required photometric output or fault‑tolerance levels. Contractors will have to prove that each lamp, cable and control unit meets the new specifications before they can be accepted by the regulator.

What the checklist now requires

The updated document lists a series of concrete items:

• Minimum luminous intensity for runway edge, threshold and taxiway lights, expressed in candela. The values are higher than those used in many legacy installations.
• Mandatory use of fault‑tolerant power supplies that can sustain operation for at least 30 minutes after a single‑phase failure.
• Periodic photometric testing every 12 months, with results recorded in a digital log that can be exported to GACA’s portal.
• Clear labeling of all obstruction lights, including intensity class and power source, whether solar or grid‑connected.
• Integration of lighting control and monitoring systems that support remote status checks and alarm generation.

These items are not optional. Missing a single point can halt an airport’s certification renewal and expose the owner to fines.

How Northlane can help you meet the new rules

At Northlane Solutions we have been supplying certified lighting equipment to Saudi airports for more than a decade. Our portfolio includes LED runway edge lights, high‑intensity obstruction beacons and a full suite of control and monitoring hardware. All our products are pre‑tested to the GACA thresholds, so you avoid the costly re‑testing phase.

We also run a Compliance‑Ready Service that bundles engineering review, installation supervision and post‑installation testing. When you contract us, you receive:

• A gap analysis that compares your existing inventory against the new standards.
• Detailed design drawings that incorporate the required fault‑tolerant power architecture.
• Installation by crews who are familiar with GACA’s inspection procedures.
• A final photometric report that can be uploaded directly to the authority’s portal.

You can read more about our core capabilities in the Airfield Ground Lighting and Obstruction Lighting service pages.

Practical steps for owners and contractors

1. Audit your current lighting assets – Pull the data sheets for every lamp, cable and controller. Check the luminous intensity and power‑supply specifications against the new GACA tables.
2. Prioritize replacements – Focus first on runway edge and threshold lights, as they carry the highest intensity requirements. Obstruction beacons can follow once the critical runway areas are compliant.
3. Engage a certified supplier early – Ordering LED fixtures with the correct class can take 4‑6 weeks, especially if custom mounting kits are needed.
4. Plan the testing schedule – Allocate a two‑day window for each runway segment to perform the mandatory photometric measurements. Our field teams can bring calibrated photometers and generate the required digital logs on site.
5. Integrate control systems – If you are still using analog switches, consider upgrading to an Airfield Lighting Control and Monitoring System (ALCMS). The system logs every lamp status and alerts you to failures before they become safety issues.

Following this sequence reduces the risk of last‑minute changes and keeps the project within budget. In recent projects we have seen owners cut the overall timeline by 20 % simply by ordering the right LED units and scheduling the tests in parallel.

What we see on the ground today

During a recent upgrade at a regional airport in the Eastern Province, the client’s existing incandescent edge lights failed the new intensity test by 15 percent. By swapping to our LED runway edge lights, the airport not only passed the GACA audit but also reduced its electricity consumption by roughly 40 percent. The same project required a new fault‑tolerant transformer, which we supplied as part of the Series Isolation Transformers product line. The client praised the seamless hand‑over of documentation; the final report was accepted on the first review.

Another case involved a private heliport that needed to replace its obstruction beacons. The owner chose our solar‑powered high‑intensity obstruction lights to meet the new power‑source requirement while keeping operating costs low. Installation was completed in three days, and the system passed the 12‑month photometric test without any adjustments.

These examples illustrate how a proactive approach, backed by a supplier that understands the regulatory nuance, can turn a compliance exercise into an opportunity for operational improvement.

FAQ

What is the first thing I should check after the GACA update?

Start with a simple inventory list. Compare each lamp’s candela rating and power‑supply type to the values published in the new standard. Anything below the threshold will need replacement or upgrade.

Can existing LED fixtures be retrofitted to meet the new fault‑tolerance rule?

In many cases a retrofit is possible by adding a certified constant‑current regulator or a fault‑tolerant transformer. Our engineers can assess whether a retrofit is viable for your specific units.

How long does the photometric testing process take?

A typical runway segment can be measured in one full day. The test includes setting up the photometer, recording readings for each lamp and uploading the data to GACA’s portal.

Does Northlane provide ongoing support after installation?

Yes. We offer maintenance contracts that include periodic inspections, spare‑part supply and remote monitoring through our ALCMS platform. This keeps your lighting system compliant for the long term.