Which of the following best describes the purpose of an airport beacon?

• A. A flashing light beacon to indicate night operations or special conditions.
• B. A beacon used to guide aircraft during ground taxi.
• C. A wind-shear detection device.
• D. A device that communicates NOTAMs to pilots.

Answer: (C)

An airport beacon serves as a visual signal to pilots that they are near an airport and, for civil airports, that the field is in operation at night or under special conditions. Its flashing, rotating light helps pilots locate the airport and recognize that it’s active, especially when visibility is limited or during nighttime. It’s not meant to guide aircraft on the ground—that role belongs to taxiway and runway lighting and signage. It also isn’t a wind-shear detector, which would be a weather radar-based system, nor does it transmit NOTAMs; NOTAMs are distributed through the NOTAM system and aeronautical information channels.