Solar Powered Helipad Lighting for East Midlands Police

The East Midlands Police Force Air Support Unit has increased the safety of its helicopter crews with the installation of a solar helipad lighting system at their base in the UK.

Working closely with the Air Support Unit, Systems Interface - Avlite’s UK distributor, delivered a suitable solution that complemented the Unit’s newly acquired in-flight NVG technology.  Being the first police operation in the UK to use in-flight Night Vision Goggle (NVG) technology under CAA and international aviation rules and regulations, the East Midlands Air Support Unit operates with a full crew using NVG.

The solution was to supply the customer with a solar-powered, remote controlled illuminated helipad for day and night operations in both visible and infrared/NVG configurations that clearly identified the helipad on approach or from above during hovering or in low visibility weather.  Avlite’s AV425-RF radio controlled solar LED helipad lighting system with optional NVG mode was well-suited to the Unit’s needs.  The system not only minimised the environmental footprint but also saved thousands of pounds in costly installations by not having to lay expensive cable and power to areas of operation.

Since the lighting system was installed, it has been “...in high use for NVG operations” according to the Air Support Unit’s Chief Pilot, Captain Graham Hancock.

The AV425-RF system has a practically unlimited range and can be controlled from the ground, air traffic control tower, or aircraft cockpit, through the use of the handheld controller via the AvMesh^TM network allowing all lights to transmit and receive commands regardless of a single point of failure, increasing the system’s reliability and providing fail-safe, self-realising encrypted wireless communications.

The East Midlands Police Force Air Support Unit provides aerial cover to three communities in the UK’s East Midlands region and strives to provide the best possible aerial support to its Police colleagues and other Partner Agencies within the three counties and beyond.