FAA Heliport Lighting Requirements for Rooftop, Hospital & Commercial Helicopter Landing Facilities

What are FAA heliport lighting requirements?

FAA guidance addresses the design and visual aids used for heliports, including lighting and marking considerations for applicable facilities.

The appropriate lighting configuration depends on factors such as heliport type, layout, intended operations, and project conditions.

FAA guidance should be considered together with applicable project specifications and requirements from other authorities having jurisdiction.

Does the FAA require the same lighting for every heliport?

No.

Hospital, general aviation, transport, rooftop, ground-level, and other heliport applications can have different design and operational considerations.

The required or recommended visual aids should be determined for the specific facility.

What color are heliport perimeter lights?

Green is commonly used for TLOF perimeter lighting under applicable U.S. heliport guidance.

However, heliport lighting includes multiple lighting functions, and color requirements depend on the particular light and system being specified.

Do not assume every perimeter, approach, obstruction, or identification light uses the same color.

What is TLOF lighting?

TLOF stands for Touchdown and Liftoff Area.

TLOF lighting helps visually define the area intended for helicopter touchdown and liftoff during applicable nighttime operations.

Fixture configuration, spacing, color, installation, and other characteristics should follow the applicable heliport design criteria.

What is FATO lighting?

FATO stands for Final Approach and Takeoff Area.

The FATO is associated with the final phase of approach and the beginning of takeoff.

Lighting or visual identification of the FATO depends on the heliport design and applicable guidance and should not be assumed to use the same arrangement as the TLOF.

Are TLOF and FATO lights the same thing?

No.

The TLOF and FATO identify different operational areas of a heliport.

Depending on the facility design, their lighting and marking can have different purposes and configurations.

What lighting is used on rooftop heliports?

Depending on the design and applicable requirements, a rooftop heliport can incorporate systems such as:

• TLOF lighting
• FATO lighting or visual aids
• Windsock illumination
• Floodlighting
• Approach guidance
• Heliport identification lighting
• Obstruction lighting where applicable
• Lighting controls

The exact combination should be determined from the particular heliport design rather than treated as a universal rooftop equipment list.

Do hospital heliports require special lighting?

Hospital heliports can have design and operational considerations associated with emergency medical transportation, frequent nighttime use, rooftop locations, surrounding structures, and approach paths.

Applicable heliport guidance and project requirements should determine the lighting and visual aids for the facility.

Why is windsock lighting important at a heliport?

An illuminated windsock can allow pilots to observe wind direction and general wind conditions during nighttime operations.

Its location, visibility, illumination, and installation should be coordinated with the heliport design and applicable requirements.

Does every heliport require obstruction lights?

Not necessarily.

Obstruction lighting depends on the structures, objects, location, height, surrounding environment, and applicable aviation requirements.

It should not be assumed that every object near a heliport automatically requires an obstruction light.

Are approach lights required at every heliport?

No.

Approach-lighting or approach-guidance systems depend on the heliport design, intended operations, site conditions, and applicable requirements.

They should be specified when appropriate for the particular facility rather than automatically included with every heliport.

Why are low-profile heliport lights used?

Low-profile or inset fixtures can help minimize physical projections within areas where fixture height and clearance are important.

The appropriate fixture profile depends on its location, heliport design, structural conditions, operational considerations, and applicable guidance.

Low profile by itself does not establish that a fixture is suitable for a particular heliport.

Are inset heliport lights better than elevated lights?

Neither is universally better.

Inset fixtures can be useful where minimizing projections above the surface is important.

Elevated fixtures can be appropriate in other locations and can offer different installation and maintenance characteristics.

The heliport design should determine which configuration is appropriate.

Are LED heliport lights better than halogen lights?

LED heliport lighting can provide advantages such as reduced power consumption, long rated operating life, reduced relamping requirements, and compatibility with modern control systems.

However, suitability depends on the performance, certification or approval requirements, optical characteristics, environmental ratings, electrical system, and application of the particular fixture.

LED technology alone does not make a fixture appropriate for heliport use.

How long do LED heliport lights last?

There is no universal service life for LED heliport fixtures.

Rated and actual performance depends on the specific product, LEDs, drivers, electronics, thermal management, operating hours, electrical conditions, environmental exposure, and maintenance.

Use manufacturer-specific lifetime and warranty information when evaluating equipment.

Can heliport lights operate in severe weather?

Fixtures designed for aviation applications can be available with construction suitable for demanding outdoor environments.

Actual suitability for rain, snow, ice, salt air, high winds, temperature extremes, or other conditions is product-specific.

Verify environmental ratings, operating-temperature range, materials, mounting, and project requirements for the installation location.

Are heliport lights waterproof?

Environmental protection varies by fixture.

Ingress-protection ratings and other environmental specifications should be verified for the exact product and installation.

An IP rating alone does not establish compliance with heliport lighting requirements.

Can heliport lighting be used in coastal environments?

Some fixtures can be suitable for coastal environments, but corrosion resistance should be evaluated separately from aviation-lighting performance.

Materials, finishes, hardware, seals, salt exposure, maintenance, and manufacturer specifications should be considered for coastal or marine installations.

Can existing heliport fixtures be replaced one-for-one with LED fixtures?

Potentially.

Before a one-for-one retrofit, verify fixture function, color, photometric performance, mounting, dimensions, electrical characteristics, controls, environmental suitability, and applicable requirements.

Physical compatibility alone does not establish that the replacement is appropriate.

How are heliport lights controlled?

Control methods vary by facility and system.

Depending on the heliport and equipment, lighting can use local controls, remote controls, automated systems, pilot-controlled functions, or other arrangements.

Control requirements should be coordinated with the complete heliport lighting design and applicable guidance.

Can solar lighting be used at a heliport?

Solar-powered aviation lighting can be appropriate for some heliport or aviation applications, particularly where conventional electrical infrastructure is difficult to provide.

Suitability depends on the specific lighting function, equipment performance, solar resource, battery capacity, required operating profile, environmental conditions, and applicable project requirements.

Solar power should not be assumed appropriate for every required heliport light.

Do heliport lighting projects require professional design review?

Heliport projects involve aviation operations, site design, electrical systems, structural conditions, applicable guidance, and jurisdictional requirements.

Lighting equipment should be coordinated with the qualified professionals responsible for the heliport design and approval process.

Product selection alone does not establish that the complete heliport complies with applicable requirements.