Saturday, August 6, 2016

Information On The Functions Of Lighting For Heliport

By Richard Taylor


For the past three decades we have seen a growing number of helicopters. The problem arises in where they have to land since they used to use airports. Special places have been created so that they ease the congestion that may be experienced in the airports. These areas are called heliports, and they have lights that play a critical role in these places; hence, the need for lighting for heliport.

These suitable devices have the same working as their predecessors which were used for the airports. This has however changed with time because of the intervention of FAA, the department that deals with stoppage areas for air transport vessels. It recommended the designing of lights that were specifically for chopper stoppage areas something that many firms never hesitated to do.

The general function of these devices apart from making the taking off and landing of choppers useful is to ensure that there is maximum safety for the users and workers of the area. This is why FAA will always oversee the construction of these areas and the necessary lighting. More so, the few suppliers of these devices must be certified to do so by this body.

There are over ten different types of them in a single port. Each has its distinct function. There are the touchdown and liftoff area lights whose primary purpose is to provide visibility during landing and takeoff during times when there is poor visibility for example in fog and rainy conditions. Here is the beacon which works the same but it is usually for long distance visibility.

The most delicate time for any pilot is during taking off and landing. Because of this, there is the high perimeter light that guides the pilot on the threshold to be used depending on the color portrayed either green or yellow. The direction taken is also paramount, and his is why there is the wind cone which in simple terms it acts like the wind sock.

Of all these devices, the outdoor controller is undisputed the most important. It is the center of them all since it usually switches them on and off. It is not affected by harsh weather conditions since it is resistance to water. Its place has been taken up by new systems that allow each device to work individually and automatically.

The position where these devices need to be installed must be well selected. This is because they must be such that they give the pilot an excellent view of them. Common areas of installation include the taxiways and the settling position of the chopper while landing among many others. If this is well observed then chances of errors or any other sort o0f inconvenience becomes minimal.

To conclude is important to mention about the technology that these lights use. FAA has approved the use of the electroluminescent, LED, laser bars, fiber optics, and the commonly used cathode ray tubes. These systems have been of great help since very few people are nowadays used to man these areas. Additionally, they are more reliable than people since they are less prone to errors, and they work automatically.




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