SP-102 portable helipad FATO light is ICAO compliant helipad light designed to operate in remote areas. LED optics generates correct light output in terms of intensity and chromaticity. SP-102 helipad light is battery powered light; standard deep-cycle batteries are used to power SP-102 lights.
Helipad FATO light is white, omnidirectional aviation light is compliant with ICAO, Annex 14. It has NVG (Night Vision Goggles) mode which is often required by military customers.
What distinguishes S4GA heliport lights from products of other helipad lighting suppliers is unique LED optics allowing to achieve the highest visibility range in its class – up to 10 km. It is critical for pilots when landing in adverse weather conditions like fog or heavy rain. Moreover, aluminium body and UV-resistant polycarbonate dome protect helipad light from deterioration.
| Specification | Parameter | Description |
| Compliance | ICAO Annex 14, Vol. II (4th. Edition, July 2013) | Photometric: Par. 5.3.7.3 |
| Chromaticity: Appendix 1, Figure A1-1 | ||
| Operating time in steady mode | Min intensity | 36 hrs. |
| Max Intensity | 15 hrs. | |
| Operating modes | Selective via push-button Last selected mode is memorized | Steady-on: Min - Med - Max Intensity |
| Flashing: 30 - 60 - 120 FPM | ||
| Automatic Dusk-Till-Dawn (adjustable intensity) | ||
| NVG Only - for covert operations | ||
| NVG + Visible LED | ||
| Optics | Type | Omnidirectional |
| Colour | White | |
| Interchangable optical head | Yes | |
| LED | Life span: 100.000 hrs | |
| Consistent photometrics for product life | ||
| Operating temperature range | Standard | -20 to 50 ºC (-4 to 122 ºF) |
| Arctic pack | -40 to 80 ºC (-40 to 176 ºF) | |
| Battery | Type | Sealed Lead Acid Battery (SLAB) air transport approved |
| Capacity | 4,5 Ah | |
| Nominal voltage (V) | 6,0 V | |
| Life span | 4-5 years / 1.200 cycles | |
| On-board battery indicator | Yes | |
| Battery replacable by user | Yes | |
| Battery Charging | External charging port | Yes |
| Available charging options | via OCT-102 Charger | |
| via 5W solar panel | ||
| Charging time via Charger | 8 hrs | |
| Charging time via solar panel | 12 hrs | |
| Control & Monitoring | Multifuntional Push-button | On-Off, selecting operating mode, reset Protection against incidental activation |
| Automatic Light Control (ALC) | ALC adjusts intensity level if battery reaches low capacity to ensure continued operation | |
| Built-in microprocessor | Yes | |
| Built-in protection against excessive overcharging/discharging of the battery | Yes | |
| Solar Panel | Nominal power output | 5W |
| Installed separately from the lighting unit | Yes | |
| Panel facing direction | Unidirectional for optimal energy collection | |
| Life span | 15 years | |
| Casing | Waterproof rating | IP-65 |
| UV resistant | Yes | |
| Height / Diameter | 210 x 125 mm | |
| Weight (kg) | 2 | |
| Chassis Material | Non-corrosive aluminum | |
| Dome Material (standard) | Glass | |
| Dome Material (optional) | Premium, UV-resistant polycarbonate | |
| CE Compliance | Standards | EN 61000-4-2:2009, |
| EN 61000-4-3:2007/A2:2011 | ||
| PN-EN 61000-4-4:2013-05 | ||
| EN 61000-4-5:2014-10 | ||
| EN 61000-4-6: 2014-04 |
Portable lighting is a suitable solution for helipads located in remote, hard-to-reach places with hindered infrastructure access. If a given helipad carries out night operation, it has to be equipped with some lighting of certain facilities, including the FATO zone. Let’s describe the features of helipad FATO portable lighting.
The FATO zone is the largest area marked at a helipad. The abbreviation refers to Final Approach and Takeoff area. The zone is designated with lines which create the shape of a square, rectangle or a circle. In turn, the TLOF area (Touchdown and Liftoff area) is located inside the FATO area and it also can be in the shape of a square, rectangle or a square.
What requirements does helipad portable airport have to meet?
The requirements regarding helipad FATO portable lights are determined by the ICAO (International Civil Aviation Organization). Additionally, if a given lighting system is used in the European Union, it must fulfill the following standards: EN 61000-4-2:2009, EN 61000-4-3:2007/A2:2011, PN-EN 61000-4-4:2013-05, EN 61000-4-5:2014-10 and EN 61000-4-6: 2014-04.
Helipads that are meant to handle night flight operation must be equipped with proper lights. Even though not each and every helipad is equipped with a complete set of lights, the following facilities must be illuminated during night operations: the TLOF and FATO area, wind direction indicator, landing direction indicator and taxiway.
Portable lighting is used wherever the installation of a permanent lighting system is impossible (or unnecessary). It is used for:
The FATO zone is marked with white, omnidirectional lights. LED lightbulbs are used as they provide not only a long durability (50 000 hours!) but also the right, required by regulations intensity and chromaticity.
The work time of a portable light depends on a set intensity. If a light uses a low intensity, it will work for 36 hours. High-intensity light diminishes the work time to 15 hours.
Helipad portable lighting provides the following work modes:
If a helicopter operates in low-visibility conditions (e.g. due to a heavy rain or fog), the range of the light visibility is a key factor. The most advanced systems give out a light that is visible from 10 kilometers from the air.
As you can easily imagine, helipad portable lights are exposed to a lot of hazardous weather conditions. Therefore, they should be:
Besides that, resistance to extremely high and low temperatures should also be taken into consideration. The best systems can work at temperatures even from
-40°C to 80°C.
