Omnidirectional heliport LED light improves helicopter safety
hu2022nian106 > 01-07-2022, 02:42 AM
Omnidirectional heliport LED light improves helicopter safety
Avlite Systems has introduced an innovative LED inset heliport light which is a LED omnidirectional inset lighting fixture light that addresses FATO (final-approach take-off), TLOF (touch-down lift-off), flight path alignment and aiming point lighting applications.
The inset light fully meets the ICAO (International Civil Aviation Organisation) Annex 14 - Volume II. Heliports 2013 specifications and the FAA (Federal Aviation Authority) Engineering Brief 87.
The physical projection of the inset light above ground level does not exceed 10 mm, which, together with a smooth low profile outer surface, prevents any damage to the helicopter or any other vehicle tires. The advanced LED optics ensures optimum light output even in the worst weather conditions. The inset light can be mounted in either 5-inch shallow base can or 8-inch shallow base-can using an adapter ring.
Avlite's LED Omnidirectional Inset heliport light is available in Solar, universal AC or DC power configurations. The inset light is available in either green or white with optional IR (infrared). The IR component is continuously on or switchable when integrated with an Avlite Lighting Control and Monitoring System (LCMS).
Aviation obstruction lights are lighting devices attached to tall structures: buildings, wind turbines, bridges etc. and used as collision avoidance measures. Such devices make the structure much more visible to passing aircrafts and is usually used at night, although in some countries they are used in the daytime also. Basically obstruction lights typically comes in various intensities (low, medium, high) and either fixed or flashing.
Savvy Passenger Guide to Airport Lights
Colorful lights cover taxiways and runways to help pilots navigate the airport. Red, blue, green, amber, and white lights glow, flash, and race across the ground. It’s time to find out what the colored airport lights mean and how pilots use them!
Taxi Lights
After an aircraft leaves the gate, the first challenge pilots face is navigating the plane to the runway for takeoff. Both day and night, airport lights make it easy to maneuver around the maze of taxiways.
Blue Lights: Taxiway edge lights are always blue. The blue taxi lights are easy to spot from the terminal and are often the first airport lights seen by passengers. Blue taxiway lights are typically illuminated after dark and during bad weather. For many airports, the blue lights are all that is necessary to mark the taxiways.
Green Lights: Green in-ground centerline lights are often installed at busy airports and airports that experience bad weather to enhance taxi guidance and safety. Unlike the blue lights used to identify the taxiway edges, green centerline lights are very bright. Pilots can see and follow them in the worst weather conditions, day or night.
The tough metal housings for in-ground lights are mounted flush with the surface of the taxiway. Only a small portion protrudes above ground. The lights are installed a few inches to the left or right of the actual painted centerline.
Taxiway Signs
Although not technically airport lights, taxiway signs are well illuminated and easy to see. Yellow and black signs identify taxiways. A black background with yellow characters ( A3 ) identifies what taxiway the aircraft is on. A yellow background with black characters ( A4 ) identifies a crossing taxiway.
Red signs ( 31R ) always indicate a runway. The red color reminds pilots not to proceed without permission from an air traffic controller.
Runway Guard Lights
In the last few years, new types of lights have been added to enhance safety. One of the most prominent are Runway Guard lights. Introduced in 1995, these flashing amber lights warn pilots that they are about to taxi onto a runway.
The basic installation consists of a dual flashing light unit. One unit is mounted on each side of the taxiway where the aircraft must stop. Taxiing past guard lights onto the runway requires a clearance from air traffic control.
In addition to the dual flashing units, wig-wags are often installed in-ground, on the runway hold-short line. This system is really helpful during low visibility conditions.
Red Stop Bar Lights
Red Stop Bar lights (also known as Runway Status Lights) are another newcomer to the taxi light family. In an effort to reduce the risk of deadly runway collisions, Stop Bar lights are being installed at many airports world-wide.
The lights are placed along the hold-short line and are switched on and off automatically. Unlike the yellow guard lights which mean “use caution,” red stop bar lights mean STOP – Don’t even THINK about moving. When the lights are on, there is active traffic on the runway or landing imminently. The lights must be extinguished before an aircraft can proceed.
As of 2016, fifteen US airports have Runway Status lights installed with more on the way. Look for them at busy airports. They’re really bright; you can’t miss them.
Runway Lights
Runways designed for low visibility operations (bad weather) have a lot of lights.
Note that not all runways have the same light configuration. The runway at St. Thomas, USVI, has only basic edge lighting because the weather is usually gorgeous. Foggy San Francisco, on the other hand, needs a full lighting system for low visibility weather.