Which statement correctly matches runway lighting categories with approach types?

• A. HIRL - precision approaches; MIRL - non-precision approaches; LIRL - visual approaches
• B. HIRL - visual approaches; MIRL - precision approaches; LIRL - non-precision approaches
• C. HIRL - non-precision; MIRL - visual; LIRL - precision
• D. HIRL - precision approaches; MIRL - visual; LIRL - non-precision

Answer: (A)

The main idea is that the brightness of runway lighting is chosen to match how much guidance a given approach type relies on. High-intensity runway lighting is best for precision approaches because these approaches provide both lateral and vertical guidance in instrument conditions, so stronger lighting helps pilots acquire and maintain the runway environment when visibility is limited. Medium-intensity lighting fits non-precision approaches, which offer lateral guidance but no glidepath, still needing solid runway cues. Low-intensity lighting is suitable for visual approaches where the pilot relies mainly on visual cues and can see the runway with less lighting, reducing glare while maintaining sufficient cues.

Other mappings would misalign the level of lighting with the type of approach, making the pairing less practical in real-world operations.