Boosters and telecommunications masts are often painted in alternating red and white bands, a pattern that many people notice but may not understand the reason behind it.
The alternating red and white colours serve three main functional purposes, contrary to the common assumption that they are purely for aesthetic reasons.
The primary reason behind the painting is for aircraft safety. The boosters are, on many occasions, erected several metres above the sky and can cause collisions with aircraft.
Tall Buildings, towers, and even boosters can be dangerous for low-flying aircraft, hence the use of the colours for easy identification.
Undated images of booster towers in Kenya
Photo
Red and white colours are highly visible from the sky, and they allow pilots to spot the tower from a distance during daytime and twilight, therefore avoiding accidental collisions.
During the day, colour is used to identify the building, and at night or in heavy foggy weather, the building is equipped with obstruction lights, often red on top.
Another reason is aviation regulations. The International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) requires tall structures exceeding 45 metres to be painted in these two colours.
According to ICAO Annex 14, on the Design and Operation of Airports, buildings or structures exceeding 45 meters must also be equipped with warning signs or lights depending on their height and location.
Red and white bands are internationally recognized and often specified by civil aviation authorities to ensure standardization and compliance.
The colours are alternated mainly to enhance depth perception and make the entire length of the tower easier to detect from a distance.
This gives maximum visibility, helping pilots identify the tower’s location and estimate its height, even in times of extreme weather conditions.
It is important to note that the colours on boosters are not only red and white; some other colours that are highly visible, like orange, can also be used.
Undated image of booster towers in Kenya
Photo