Helipad Lighting System Case Study
Helipad Lighting System Case Study
Application:
Helipad lighting system for day and night operations
Location:
East Midlands, UK
Site:
Air Support Unit Base
Owners: East Midlands Police Force
Date: December 2010
Project Overview
Avlite’s helipad lighting system ensures superior lighting and control for day and night operations.
The East Midlands Police Force Air Support Unit required a radio-controlled helipad lighting system suitable for both day and night operations to enhance operational effectiveness and importantly, to increase flight safety.
The Unit provides aerial support over to three communities in the UK’s East Midlands region and strives to provide
the best possible aerial support to its Police colleagues and other Partner Agencies within the three counties and beyond.
Being the first police operation in the UK to use in- flight NVG technology under CAA and international aviation rules and regulations, the East Midlands Air Support Unit operates with a full crew using Night Vision Goggles enabling the pilot and the observers to see clearly in the dark.The installation of a helipad lighting system at the Unit’s base was the logical next step in their proactive approach to embrace new technologies to increase the operational safety and effectiveness of the Unit’s helicopter crews.
Benefits
- Requires no mains power thus reduces carbon footprint
- Very low cost of ownership and low maintenance
- Clear marking of helipad site ensuring safety of pilot and aircraft
- Helipad is clearly visible in low-light and night conditions
- Substantial savings in running costs due to use of solar energy
- Optional NVG mode – to support covert or night- time operations
- AvMeshTM Network is self-realising and has redundancy
- Suitable for emergency and or tactical airfield or helipad lighting
- Completely portable enabling the system to be relocated easily and efficiently
Avlite’s UK distributor Systems Interface Ltd, worked closely with the customer to deliver a suitable solution that would complement their newly acquired NVG technology.The customer specifically required an illuminated helipad for day and night operations in both visible and infrared/
NVG configurations that clearly identified the helipad on approach or from above during hovering or in low visibility weather. Avlite’s AV425-RF radio controlled solar LED helipad lighting system with optional NVG mode, fulfilled their requirement.
The AV-425-RF system can be controlled from the ground, air traf c control tower, or aircraft cockpit, through the use of the handheld controller via the AvMeshTM network allowing all lights to transmit and receive commands regardless of a single point of failure, increasing the system’s reliability and providing fail-safe, self realising encrypted wireless communications.
