Abstract: Aim The method of designing the luminous intensity distribution of aerodrome beacon was analyzed and investigated. Methods Taking account of the effects of atmospheric transmission on the basis of photometric principles, a mathe- matics model was established for aerodrome beacon detection, and the software LOWTRAN6 was used to simulate atmospheric transmission. Results With a comprehensive consideration of various fight heights and distances of the aerocraft under favorable atmospheric conditions , the distribution characteristic curves of beacon luminous intensity that should be satisfied at various elevation angles were obtained, which are of importance to the beacon analysis and design. Conclusion Different luminous intensity distributions are required for different ranges of detec- tion.