The effects of color to the eye and its importance for heliport lighting

The objective of this thesis is to determine the optimum color for heliport approach lighting. Changes in air navigation from terrestrial based navigation aids to satellite based navigation aids will provide heliports with a precision instrument approach capability never realized before. This advancement in air navigation has created a requirement for better heliport approach lighting systems. By studying the physiological and psycophysical capabilities of the eye and it's imperfections, a scientific selection of color that enhances the eye's performance can be achieved. The results of field testing, using an experimental helipad, has shown that light at a wavelength of approximately 525 nm (green-blue) could very well be the best color for heliport approach lighting systems.