Heliport Lighting Solutions
Surface-Level (Terrestrial) Heliports
Surface-level heliports include all heliports located on ground level or on a structure on the surface of the water. Surface level heliports can consist of a single or several helipads. Surface level heliports are utilised by a wide range of industries including commercial, military and private operators.
ICAO and the FAA have defined rules for surface-level heliports.
Common lighting recommendations for ICAO and FAA surface-level heliports consist of:
- Final Approach and Take Off (FATO) lights.
- Touchdown and Lift-off area (TLOF) lights.
- Flightpath alignment guidance lights to indicate available approach and/or departure path direction.
- An illuminated wind direction indicator to indicate wind direction and speed.
- Heliport beacon for identification of the heliport if required.
- Floodlights around the TLOF if required.
- Obstruction lights for marking obstacles in the vicinity of the approach and departure paths.
- Taxiway lighting where applicable.
In addition, surface-level ICAO heliports must include:
- Approach lights to indicate the preferred approach direction.
- Aiming point lighting if the pilot is required to approach a particular point above the FATO before proceeding to the TLOF.
In addition, surface-level FAA heliports can include:
- Landing direction lights may be required for directional guidance.
Elevated and helidecks
Elevated Heliports are located above ground level (AGL) and consist of elevated helipads and helidecks. An elevated heliport is located on a raised structure on land. These are usually located on the top of commercial buildings, residential buildings and hospitals. Elevated heliports are utilised by emergency service, commercial and private operator industries.
A helideck is a heliport located on a fixed or floating offshore structure such as a ship or oil platform and is predominantly used by the oil and gas, and shipping industries.
ICAO and the FAA have defined rules for elevated heliports and helidecks.
Common lighting recommendations for ICAO and FAA elevated heliports and helidecks consist of:
- Final Approach and Take Off (FATO) lights.
- Touchdown and Lift-off area (TLOF) lights.
- Flightpath alignment guidance lights to indicate available approach and/or departure path direction.
- An illuminated wind direction indicator to indicate wind direction and speed.
- Heliport beacon for identification of the heliport if required.
- Floodlights around the TLOF if required.
- Obstruction lights for marking obstacles in the vicinity of the approach and departure paths.
In addition, ICAO heliports must include:
- Approach lights to indicate the preferred approach direction.
- Aiming point lighting if the pilot is required to approach a particular point above the FATO before proceeding to the TLOF.
In addition, FAA heliports can include:
- Landing direction lights for directional guidance.
- Floodlights to illuminate the FATO and/or the parking area if ambient light does not adequately illuminate markings for night operations.
