How are elevated decks lit?
Close-spaced green edge lights, floodlighting and lit aids make a small raised deck stand out.
An elevated heliport sits on a raised structure on land. A helideck sits on an offshore platform or ship. Both are small decks with a drop on every side, so the lighting has to make the deck stand out against dark ground or sea with little else to judge by.
The TLOF perimeter lights are green and spaced not more than 3 m apart, closer than the 5 m allowed at a surface-level heliport. Where the FATO and TLOF coincide, one set of lights marks the edge. The surface is floodlit, the wind indicator is lit, nearby structures carry obstacle lights, and an offshore deck may add a status light. All stay low so they are not a hazard to the helicopter.
Edge lights not more than 3 m apart, with floodlighting and lit aids.
TLOF edge lights not more than 5 m apart; FATO lights are separate. See Entry 1 and Entry 2.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q1What is an elevated heliport and what is a helideck?
An elevated heliport is a heliport on a raised structure on land, such as a building or a platform on legs. A helideck is a heliport on a fixed or floating offshore structure such as an oil or gas platform or a ship. Both are small, raised decks with a drop on every side.
Q2Why is the lighting different from a surface-level heliport?
The deck is small, raised and surrounded by dark space or sea, so the pilot has little else to judge by. The lighting is therefore tighter and more complete: closer-spaced edge lights, floodlighting over the surface, and lit aids around it.
Q3How close are the edge lights?
ICAO Annex 14 Volume II sets TLOF perimeter light spacing at not more than 3 m for an elevated heliport or helideck, against not more than 5 m at a surface-level heliport. Where the FATO and TLOF coincide, one set of perimeter lights marks the edge. Confirm against the edition in force.
Q4What else is lit on the deck?
The surface is floodlit, as in Entry 3, so the markings and any obstacles can be seen. The wind direction indicator is lit, and structures near the deck carry obstacle lights. The lights are kept low so they do not become a hazard to the helicopter.
Q5What is a helideck status light?
A light some offshore regimes require, shown to the pilot to say whether the helideck is safe to land on, for example a flashing red light when it is not. Whether it is needed depends on the regulator and the installation, so confirm with the standard in force.
Q6Which standards apply?
ICAO Annex 14 Volume II covers heliports and helidecks, and national and offshore regulators publish their own requirements, such as the FAA heliport design advisory circular. Spacing, light type and extra aids differ between them, so confirm against the standard in force and the project specification.
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