The abbreviation FLOLS stands for Fresnel Lens Optical Landing System in the military field, especially in the US. You can find more abbreviations starting with FL here. Also take a look at our list with military acronyms.
What does FLOLS mean in detail?
The Fresnel Lens Optical Landing System is the visual landing aid on aircraft carriers that shows pilots their approach angle during landing. It is the famous light system on the port side of the carrier deck, known to crews as the “meatball”.
How the system works
The FLOLS projects a light beam at a fixed glide slope of about 3.5 to 4 degrees. The pilot sees a round light: if it sits in the middle of the horizontal reference lights, the approach is correct. A light above the center means the aircraft is too high, a light below means too low – deviations that can be deadly on the short deck of a carrier.
Importance for carrier operations
Together with the flight deck communication system and the landing signal officers, the FLOLS enables safe landings even at night and in bad weather. Modernized versions work with stabilized lenses, so that the glide slope remains correct even when the ship rolls in heavy seas.
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