Particular helipad zones used for flight operations at night need to be properly lit.

Firstly, let’s have a look at a helipad itself. To begin with, there is a touchdown and liftoff area (TLOF) which are located at the center of a final approach and takeoff zone (FATO). Moreover, there is a security zone and at least two approach and take-off paths. The TLOF area should be at least as long and wide as the helicopter rotor of the largest helicopter operation at a given helipad. The FATO zone needs to be at least 1.5 times longer than a helicopter. The security zone should be at least 0.33 times larger than the diameter of a helicopter rotor (but not shorter than 6 meters). Helipads operating at night need to be equipped with TLOF lighting, FATO lighting, taxiway lighting and wind direction indicator lighting. What’s more, other types of lighting can be found at helipads, such as spotlights.