🟢 Heliport Lighting System Guide (FAA & ICAO Standards)

In heliport design, the lighting system directly affects pilot safety during night and low visibility operations. According to FAA and ICAO standards, heliport lighting must meet specific functional, intensity, and installation requirements.

While FAA and ICAO requirements are generally aligned, there are differences in TLOF light intensity classification and beacon colors.

TLOF Lighting (Touchdown and Lift-Off Area) 🟢

TLOF is the actual landing and takeoff area, and its lighting is the core of the system.

Basic Requirements

Color: Green
Installation: Perimeter around "H", inset type, load-bearing ≥ H-20
Spacing: Elevated ≤ 3m, ground ≤ 5m

Typical Quantity

Circular helipad: ≥14 lights
Square helipad: ≥4 per side
Rooftop helipad: typically 12–16 lights

📦 Recommended Product: LB-HP-I Inset Boundary Light

Color: Green (standard) / optional white, yellow, blue, red
Protection: IP68 / -55℃~70℃
Options: NVG compatible IR, dimming, solar

💡 Color coding: Green=TLOF, White=FATO, Blue=Taxiway, Red=Obstruction

Aiming Point Lights & Illuminated "H" (Optional)

Aiming lights indicate landing position, installed symmetrically at center

Illuminated "H" improves visibility at night

FATO Lighting ⚪

Defines final approach and takeoff area.

Color: White
Installation: Frangible fixtures, spacing ≤ 5m

If TLOF overlaps with FATO, FATO lighting can be omitted.

Taxiway Lights 🔵

Used for ground movement guidance, blue color.

Flood Lighting ⚪

Provides overall illumination. FAA emphasizes glare control.

Color: White
Quantity: Based on ≥10 lux average (typically 4–8 units)
Position: Around TLOF, evenly distributed
Glare control: Required

📦 Recommended Product: LB-HP-F1 LED Flood Light

Range: 25–30m
Protection: IP66 / wind resistant

Obstruction Lights 🔴

Installed on top of surrounding obstacles such as buildings and towers.

Windsock & Lighting 🟠

Indicates wind direction and speed. Night illumination required.

📦 Recommended Product: LB-ZH-802 Windsock

Length: 1.5m
Lighting: 5W LED
Protection: IP65

👉 Suggestion: Solar systems typically support 7–10 days under cloudy conditions.

Heliport Beacon (Recommended)

Used for long-distance identification, visible 360°.

FAA vs ICAO Differences

TLOF intensity: FAA coordinated / ICAO graded
Beacon color: FAA white-green-yellow / ICAO white-yellow

Configuration Overview

Hospital: Full system
Offshore: Full system
Private: Optional

Color Reference

Green: TLOF
White: FATO / Flood
Blue: Taxiway
Red: Obstruction

FAQ

Q: Is FATO required?
A: Not always

Q: Quantity?
A: Typically 12–16

Q: Illumination?
A: ≥10 lux

📌 Conclusion

This guide is based on ICAO Annex 14 and FAA standards for heliport lighting design.

👉 Contact us for more information, layout design, or quotation support.

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