How would you illuminate pilot controlled lighting?

To illuminate pilot-controlled lighting, the appropriate action is to key the microphone on the specified frequency a certain number of times. This method allows the pilot to turn on the lights by sending a signal through the radio. The number of keying actions (usually 3, 5, or 7 times) corresponds to different intensity levels of the lighting. For example, keying the mic three times may turn on the lights at a low intensity, five times may activate a medium intensity, and seven times would set the lights to full intensity. This pilot-controlled aspect is designed to provide flexibility and convenience, especially during night operations where visibility is crucial.

In contrast, manually switching on the lights at the airport would not be practical in an aviation environment where immediate and remote control options are available. Relying on Air Traffic Control (ATC) to turn on the lights can cause unnecessary delays and is not the standard procedure for pilot-controlled operations. Therefore, keying the mic the specified number of times is the correct technique for illuminating pilot-controlled lighting.