I live near a major airport and see commercial planes with huge front headlights shining in the night sky. What could they be good for way up in the sky, though? I get that when they are taking off/landing headlights are necessary. Why not give them lights like a boat, with a green in front and a red in back?
Simple answer: Visibility by other aircraft and ground control. The colors and blink patterns also tell them what orientation the craft is in, though I’ve forgotten the specifics as to what means what; I do remember solid white being the front.
Red in one wing tip, green in the other
I don’t think the headlights are different colors or blink.
In many general aviation planes, they have a wig-wam setting that alternatively flashes the landing lights during the day.