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New ramp lights meet dark-sky rules but prompt helicopter visibility questions
Summary
Board members said new ramp lights are functional and comply with dark-sky lumen requirements but raised concerns about visibility for helicopters and noted the fixtures are automatic and use LEDs that reduce thermal signature.
Staff reported that new ramp lights are now energized (the meter was installed) and operate automatically. The board discussed color and bulb differences with some members noting a mix of orangish older lights and bright-white new fixtures; staff said the new lights were selected to meet local dark-sky lumen limits and FAA siting considerations.
Members raised safety questions for helicopter operations because LED fixtures give off little heat and can be harder to detect with night-vision/thermal systems; staff said the lights were positioned to support hover-taxi operations and that markings and placement can be reviewed. "They go on automatically," the director said, and engineers noted the fixtures were designed to avoid impinging on runway airspace while serving hover-taxi lines.
