CHAPTER 12
VISUAL LANDING AIDS
This chapter contains an introduction to the
6. Various other lighting systems to aid the pilot in
function, identity, and operation of the visual landing aid
operating under the more demanding
lighting equipment used aboard non-aviation ships for
environmental conditions on ACS ships.
the operation and support of helicopters. The ability of
All components of the VLA (fig. 12-1) assist both
a ship to safely support helicopter operations greatly
the helicopter and the ship in completing the assigned
increases its effectiveness in ASW operations, its
mission.
supply/support functions, and makes emergent y
transfer of personnel due to sickness much quicker.
LEARNING OBJECTIVES
STABILIZED GLIDE SLOPE
INDICATOR SYSTEM
Upon completion of this chapter, you will be able to
do the following:
The stabilized Glide Slope Indicator (GSI) System
1. Identify the need for visual landing aids aboard
is an electrohydraulic optical landing aid designed for
ship.
use on ships equipped for helicopter operations. By use
of the stabilized GSI, a helicopter pilot may visually
2. Describe the operation of the stabilized
establish and maintain the proper glide slope for a safe
platform assembly.
landing.
3. Describe the function of the gyroscope input to
the stabilized platform assembly.
The GSI is mounted on a stable platform and
4. Identify the various components of the visual
provides a tricolor (red, green, and amber) display of
landing aids.
which one color (or mixing at the interface) is seen (fig.
12-2). The color of the light bar indicates to the pilot
Visual landing aids (VLA), consisting of helicopter
whether the aircraft is above (green), below (red), or on
deck area marking, lighting, and approach aids, are
required on all air capable ships (ACS) to provide an
(red/amber interface) the correct glide slope. In order
environment for safe helicopter operations. Deck
to steady the GSI with respect to the pitching and rolling
markings identify the limits of the helicopter operating
motions of the ship, the light cell is mounted on an
area, provide line-up information, and identify the safe
electrohydraulic stabilization platform. The system
landing zone. Because of increasing demands for
incorporates a failure detection circuit which turns off
all-weather and night operations, special lighting
the light in the event of stabilization failure.
systems have been designed to provide the helicopter
pilot with the following data:
The Mk 1 Mod 0 stabilized GSI system has the
1. An initial visual contact with the ship
following six major components (fig. 12-3):
2. A safe glide path to the landing area
1. Electronic enclosure assembly
3. Precise information (visual cues) relative to the
2. Remote control panel assembly
ship's deck position and any obstructions that
3. Hydraulic pump assembly
may be present during launch and recovery
operations
4. Transformer assembly
4. Visual indications for helicopter in-flight
5. Glide slope indicator
refueling (HIFR) and vertical replenishment
6. Stabilized platform
operations (VERTREP)
Each of these components is discussed in detail in
5. A lighting system to signify any unacceptable
the following paragraphs.
landing condition aboard the ship
12-1
