Originally Posted by JimL
Mario,
That is a 3 degree slope with a rate of descent of 175ft/min (using the North Sea mean deck height of 98ft plus 50ft); at 500ft, 30kts in still wind, you will be at the back-side of the drag curve with a difficult sight picture (the deck almost looks flat at 3 degrees).
Try doubling your approach angle.
The military is using 3° glide slope, although, it is assisted by
SGSI, TACAN DME, ship and aircraft radar. Plus, to make the SGSI light more visible all other lights are dimmed when helicopter is on approach, and until above the deck, landing site is not crew concern.