Helipad Lighting Systems 2 University of North Dakota Gary Ullrich & Tom Zeidlik

1. Helipad Lighting Systems 2 University of North Dakota Gary Ullrich & Tom Zeidlik FAA Technical Monitor Mr. Robert Bassey Mr. Don Gallagher

2. The Problem • Hospital helipads will not usually be certified, due to close proximity to buildings. • Therefore, hospitals were using whatever was convenient. • Yellow lights • White parking lot flood lights • Security vehicle spot lights • Sporadic green lights

3. HLS1 • Surveyed hundreds of helicopter pilots – • “What is the minimum distance that you want to see and identify the helipad of intended landing?” • Overwhelming answer – Two miles • FAA funded project to confirm off-the-shelf helipad lights could meet this minimum. • 1 degree approach through 90 degrees. • Confirmed findings in Phoenix, AZ

4. HLS2 • FAA funded project to find minimum number of lights to still meet this standard. • Nine lighting configurations, 1248 data points.

6. Results

7. Videos • Altru Helipad, Fully Lighted - #2 • Altru Helipad, TLOF Corners Only - #6 • Altru Helipad, TLOF Only - # • Altru Helipad, Every Other FATO Lighted - #4 • Altru Helipad, Pulsing Lights - #8

8. Conclusions • Pilots want more lights • Ambient city lighting makes identification difficult • Often confused green helipad with green traffic light • Some reported lights were too bright in low-hover. • Pilots liked the pulsing lights • “It’s the only thing in the city that blinks like that.” • Wanted a steady light for touchdown, distance information

9. New Research • Circular Patterns • Massachusetts General Hospital • Flood lighting configurations

10. Questions? University of North Dakota Gary Ullrich & Tom Zeidlik