SP-102 portable helipad lights are ICAO compliant airfield lights designed to operate in remote areas. LED optics generates correct light output in terms of intensity and chromaticity. SP-102 airfield light is powered by a standard deep-cycle battery that can be stored locally.
S4GA helipad TLOF (Touchdown and Liftoff Area) light is green, omnidirectional aviation light 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 | Green | |
| Interchangeable 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 |
Helipads are often located in hard-to-reach places. Alaska, the Brazilian Amazon or a skyscraper in the middle of a large city – these are just a few examples of places a helipad can be situated at. If a helipad is meant for night operation, it needs to be properly illuminated. In the following article, we will deal with one type of such lighting. Here’s helipad portable TLOF lighting.
From a birds-eye-view, you will first notice two designated areas – FATO and TLOF. FATO refers to Final Approach and Take-off area. TLOF refers to Touchdown and Liftoff area. Both these areas can be in the shape of a circle, square or rectangle. The TLOF area is placed inside the FATO zone.
Not each and every helipad is equipped with a full set of lights. But, if a helipad carries out night operation, it must be equipped with basic lights. They include FATO and TLOF lights, wind direction indicator lights, taxiway lights and landing direction indicator lights.
Portable lighting is easy and quick to install, and it can be installed on various surfaces. When is helipad portable lighting used?
Green lights are used for TLOF lighting. They give out an omnidirectional light. LED lights are used because they provide the right light chromaticity and intensity. They are also utterly durable – up to 50 000 hours of work!
The worktime of portable lights depends on the light intensity they are working with. They will work for up to 36 hours with the minimum intensity. When it comes to the maximum intensity – 15 hours.
Portable solar lights can give out a constant or flashing light. The flash frequency is 30, 60 or 120 flashes per minute. Moreover, one can set a preferred intensity – low, medium or high. The system also provides a from-dusk-to-dawn work mode. These are lights compatible with night vision goggles.
The aforementioned LED lightbulbs provide excellent visibility from a far distance – even up to 10 kilometers. It is particularly important when a helicopter is landing in low-visibility conditions (pouring rain, fog).
Helipad TLOF portable lights are exposed to various weather conditions – wind, rain, sun, extreme temperatures. That’s why they need to meet some requirements that will allow them to work constantly even in difficult conditions. All in all, it has a tremendous impact on the safety of flight operations. These are the characteristics that helipad TLOF portable lights should have:
Just like any lights used at helipads, TLOF lighting needs to meet the ICAO (International Civil Aviation Organization) regulations, Annex 14. The lighting used in the European Union must additionally be up to 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.
