The committee reviewed a report of a meeting held in Berlin in 1930 concerning the practices of Aviation Lighting in Europe. The committee drafted a 16 page document concerning the current practice in the US. In 1932 Wright Field at Dayton, Ohio, was the site of the 6th meeting of the committee. At this meeting the members were able to inspect equipment installed on an operating airfield during night operations. This resulted in establishing color for the lights on airfield.

In 1936 the first meeting was held in Canada and the use of floodlights to light the airfield was proposed. Many years later, an experimental installation of floodlights on the side of the runway was made at Atlantic City and proved unsatisfactory.

In 1937, the Committee met at the National Bureau of Standards and suggested the use of a high voltage distribution system with individual transformers for each light. In 1939 the CAA Civil Aeronautics Authority was established and Aviation was no longer a part of the Commerce Department.

In the 40’s, the committee established the Approach and runway color sequence and the minimum length of 2000 ft. The suggestion of fluorescent or neon lights was nixed because of intensity requirements. The use of backup generators was suggested and an executive committee of the Air Force, Navy and CAA was established to develop standards for night lighting. Standardization of installation was also discussed during this period. Because the pilots could not follow the instrument landing system at that time, a wide beam light for the approach system was developed. Fog testing and development of the basic concept of VASI (later to be the PAPI) were presented during this period. By the end of the forties, color signals, approach lights and lighting simulators were finalized.

During the fifties, taxiway guidance and taxiway signs, the “Potty” light and condenser Discharge Lights were researched. Lighting of Carriers and semi-flush lights were the main topics of discussion. One of which was the Elfaka and the first narrow gauge lighting for the runways. Retractable lighting was discussed but the consensus was that it would be unsafe to have it exposed while the runway was in use.

In 57 the development of the MC-2 runway light providing 5000 cds was produced.

In the sixties, the semi-flush lights took precedence at most of the meetings. The development of the “Pan Cake” fixture and centerline and touchdown lights was the main topics of discussion. The VASI was accepted as a world standard and adopter by ICAO. Marking of Tall Towers and Catenary Cables were also discussed. In 69, the Government Contacts Sub-Committee to help develop standards was established.

In the Seventies, the necessity of having frangible mounting for approach lighting and signs covered the discussions. The first panel discussion of installation methods of centerline lighting was chaired by Art Schai and REILS and Radio Control covered the main topics. At the end of the seventies, the development of the PAPI, new lighting control panels, and a trip to NASA at Houston cover the remaining topics.

In the eighties, the need for standardization again became the center of attention with a promise that FAA and ICAO standards would be studied. The NASAO/IES subcommittee was established to unify the lighting for GA airports. Self contained prefabricated airfields lighting control centers were developed by Canada. The PAPI was finally accepted as a replacement for the VASI. Runway incursion became a problem that had to be solved. Lighting to eliminate this problem was first brought to the attention of all. Electroluminescent and LED lighting made their first impact on the Aviation Lighting Committee. Monitoring of runway circuits through electronic means and runways sensors for stop bars were also discussed. The first discussion on completely portable airports for use in a wartime environment was discussed at the meetings.

In the nineties, Laser lighting for visual aids and monitoring of control of visual aids through computers became the center for discussion. Fiber Optics, Land and Hold Short programs and use of simulators to modify lighting configurations were also presented during this period.