Heliport Lighting - Technology Research

摘要

This document reports on the initial phase of a program to develop a cost-effective heliport lighting system for Global Positioning System (GPS) helicopter approaches. The investigation into lighting technologies shows that many of the currently available technologies would be effective. These include: electroluminescent panels, light pipes or bars, strobes, cold cathode strobes, identification beacons and point light sources. Results showed that furture experiments with helicopter GPS approach lighting arrays should refine the geometric pattern of the light sources, the spacing of the light sources, the direction of the light line, the intensity of the light source, the color of the light source, the pulse duration for any strobing lights, and the potential use of special types of lights and filters. Additionally, the light sources should contrast with background lights. Line-up and glideslope lights should provide a sufficient visual angle disparity to cue off-course conditions and the required correction.