VISUAL LANDING AID (VLA) LIGHTING SYSTEMS

The visual landing aids and supplemental equipment described in this site provide a means for day and night helicopter missions to and from Air Capable ships. The equipment provides visual cues for accomplishing safe helicopter operations under various mission requirements. This is made possible by providing the approaching helicopter pilot a well defined glide path with enhanced flight deck illumination, depth perception cues, and obstruction definition. The Wave-off Light System allows the bridge to exercise control of helicopter land/launch operations in the event of unexpected changes such as emergency turns, lost communications and/or modified EMCON conditions. The Deck Status Light System provides the helicopter pilot and flight deck crew with information as to the status of the helicopter landing area. The lighting Control Panel provides the means for selecting the proper night lighting presentation and for adjusting light intensities. The quantity and type of lighting equipment required is determined by the level(s) and class(es) of helicopter operations designated by CNO for the particular ship. Ships designated for LAMPS (Light Airborne Multi-Purpose System) Mk 111 rast helicopter operations require additional lighting equipment over the LAMPS Mk 1 VLA systems. The additional equipment increases the capability of the VLA system to handle helicopters operating in more demanding environmental conditions. VLA lighting and supplemental equipment provides the ship with the capability for conducting safe night helicopter operations for:

1. Approach and Landing (Take-off).

2. Approach and Vertical Replenishment

3. Approach and Helicopter In-Flight Refueling (HIFR).

VLA INSTALLATIONS.
See Figures, illustrate typical landing aids installations for various types of Air Capable Ships. The location of each VLA component is indicated on the figure for each typical installation and the component name and figure and index number can be provided, call for table of specs.