True or False: Runway status lights take priority over ATC instructions.

Runway status lights are critical safety signaling devices used at airports to indicate the status of runways to pilots. They provide visual cues regarding whether a runway is safe to enter or cross. When the status lights are activated, they convey real-time information about runway use, such as whether there is an arriving or departing aircraft or any other potential hazard.

The assertion that runway status lights take priority over ATC (Air Traffic Control) instructions holds true because these lights are designed specifically to enhance safety and prevent accidents on runways. Even if a pilot has received clearance from ATC, if the runway status lights indicate that the runway is unsafe—such as when they are illuminated red—the pilot must adhere to the visual signals from the lights rather than following ATC's instructions. This prioritization is crucial for maintaining safety within the airport environment, where miscommunication or disregard for runway status could lead to dangerous situations.

Understanding the importance of both ATC communication and runway status lights is vital for piloting safely, but in the hierarchy of immediate visual safety cues, runway status lights are paramount.