First off, I want to say what a beautiful aircraft the Airbus A320 is. My wife and I just got back from a 4 day jaunt to Puerto Rico. Anyway, this aircraft was only 2 months old and real clean. Out of all the Boeing's, McDonald Douglas’ and other aircraft I have flown, this thing was the smoothest and most quite jet I have ever been in. I was able to sit over the wing both there and back and got to watch all the surfaces move. Upon landing, this thing basically floated down and then gently touched down. It was truly a real nice flight, both there and back!

Anyway, here is my question.
We were approaching New York’s JFK and was about 15 minutes out. It was 11pm at night. As we started to slow down and descend, I noticed that the captain turned on a “Spotlight” that illuminated both wings, right out to the winglet. What is the reason for this? Is he actually looking back over his shoulder out the window to confirm that the flaps, etc.. are in their proper position by visually checking?

I was just wondering as they were definitely turned on right before we started our decent and the surfaces were adjusted.

Also, is this just something that the Airbus Aircraft have, or do most jetliners have this light that illuminated the wings?

Thanks!

Dave

Sorry Dave I can't answer your question but I'm sure some guys on here will know just what you're talking about!

I've been on a A320 and a A319 and I must agree, very smooth!

You can't see the wings from the cockpit in just about every modern jet.  If you look closely at the manuals that come with many high-quality freeware planes, it'll show a diagram of where the pilot can see out of the cockpit, and mentions that you must rely on the EICAS for all engine info since you can't see the engines.  Like Craig said, those were most likely logo/possibly anti-collision lights. 

I agree, I fly the A320 over to Cali all the time and she is a great ride.  When I fly over there alone, my parents put me in first class!

Unless possibly it was illuminating the "Jet Blue" logo near the front of the fuselage casing the light to reflect and look as though it was illuminating this part.  
Actually, I bet that is what it was after looking at a few Airbus night light shots.
I can see how in the pitch black darkness, this would illuminate the "front" of the wing and also cast light onto the winglet.


And yes, being 15 minutes or so out and coming in at around 15,000, that would most likely make sense.

Dave

Craig that is it!
You can See that if you were sitting behind the wing, it would look as if the "front" of the wing was illuminated right up to the winglet!
Thanks for that shot as that it explains it! 



Dave

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I don't think there is any chance of Icing coming from Puerto Rico!  
Or are they just running through the checklist?


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Maybe not the quietest but definitely a constant smoothness to the whole aircraft itself.
Yes, it was truly great. I got a ton of shots. When I get some time, I will upload them!!


Dave

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You would not believe were icing occurs...but also now that I think of it they could have ben in case of an emergency landing that when the slides deploy you can see...just like windows must be up when taking off and landing

The capt. usually turns on the landing lights (that is what you saw, as mentioned by Craig earlier) when passing thru 10.000ft.

All commercial aircrafts also have lights that will illumate the whole leading edge, to see if any icing has occured, these are called wing lights. Their purpose is mainly to aid the crew when the aircraft is on the ground during nights, for pre-flight inspections.

Glad to hear you had a nice flight, the airbus A320 is a very sweet aircraft, indeed

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...or open the window...

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This might happen if you did...


What happens when the captains window blows out

For info, the picture shows from co-pilot Alistair Atcheson, seated in uniform, with life saving steward Nigel Ogden behind the lady on the right of the picture...

That is the first time I have ever even heard that story! 

Dave