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Wig-Wag Lights

Questions From The Cockpit: Why Are They Called Wig-Wag Lights?

By William E. Dubois · July 10, 2026 · 7 Comments

Curtis, a student pilot in Arizona, writes: On a training flight yesterday I saw an airplane coming in to land that had landing lights on the wings that were alternately flashing off and on. My CFI said that it was a “wig-wag” system. Such a funny name. I’m wondering where it came from.

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