When should the Interior Emergency Exit Lights be armed?

The correct timing for arming the Interior Emergency Exit Lights is during taxiing, takeoff, and landing. This is crucial because these phases of flight are considered critical moments where the likelihood of needing to evacuate may be higher due to potential emergencies. Having the emergency exit lights armed during these times ensures that in the event of an evacuation, the illuminated exit paths are visible to passengers and crew, facilitating a safe and quick egress from the aircraft.

In contrast, during pre-flight checks, while important for overall safety, they typically occur before the aircraft is in motion and do not align with the urgency required during taxiing, takeoff, and landing. Additionally, the phases of boarding and disembarking focus more on normal operations rather than emergency preparedness. Maintenance checks and safety briefings prioritize operational aspects of the aircraft but do not account for immediate evacuation needs in-flight. Thus, the emphasis on having the Interior Emergency Exit Lights armed during taxiing, takeoff, and landing is grounded in the need for increased readiness in case an emergency occurs during these critical flight phases.