Lighting the way towards safer helipad landings

Landing a helicopter on an onshore or offshore facility is still regarded as one of the most hazardous operations when flying — especially at night — but a new lighting system is now changing that.

After almost a decade of trials, the Circle-H LED lighting system from navigational manufacturer Orga is being hailed as breakthrough technology.

Developed in collaboration with the UK Civil Aviation Authority (UKCAA), Orga’s touchdown/positioning marking and heliport identification marking (TD/PM) LED lighting system can replace the use of floodlights, which cause glare and the so-called ‘black hole’ effect that leads to loss of pilot vision.

According to the company, this new technology has been proven to radically improve visual cueing for pilots during landing approaches in all weather conditions.

The UKCAA has given duty holders until 31 March 2018 to retrofit the new lighting system on all UK North Sea offshore platforms. This is through the internationally acknowledged guidance for offshore helicopter landing areas — CAP 437, 7th Edition, Amendment 01/2013.

The helideck lighting system is now in mass production and has already been installed on oil and gas platforms around the world, from the Gulf of Mexico through to the North Sea, Asia–Pacific and the Middle East.

Orga has also announced the release of an illuminated windsock with integrated aviation obstruction light (AOL) option, and a touch-screen digital navaid central control panel (DNCCP), to its LED lighting system.

Critical information can be rapidly viewed, accurately analysed and immediately actioned from one central location for the safe and efficient control of operations.

Orga products, which also include radar response beacons and explosion-proof solutions for the aviation, offshore and petrochemical industries, are available Australia-wide through electrical supplier JT Day.

Image courtesy of JT Day