HLS marking with Cyalumes

[MarkJJ]

Does anyone have pictures of a HLS marked out using Cyalumes? Trying to convince someone it's a good idea. Any thing will do NATO T or whatever. Cheers guys, your help is much needed. Or suggestions otherwise.

[SilsoeSid]

:confused:
Why?

I would say that it wouldn't be such a good idea, firstly because cylumes aren't exactly the best emitters of light. There would also be a great amount of attention given to the sight picture approach of this dim 'T' perhaps to the detriment of the awareness of the speed/height combination. Even in normal daytime approaches, it takes a lot of balls for someone to call, 'going round', solo or not. I think you're opening a huge can of worms here.

Great in a tactical environment , but why in any other ... cost, getting round planning permissions ?

The thing about NATO 'T's is that they are very good, but if you are expecting the lights to be 10m apart and someone has set them out at 5 or 20, then the final part of the approach will be 'emotional'. :eek:


Given the right training and kit, it's perfectly safe to simply throw a single activated IR cylume out the window and make an approach to it on goggles, but only really advisable in big sandy/clear areas ;)


Perhaps the only 'NATO T' you should be thinking about is the 'White, 2 Sugars' one :ok:

[SilsoeSid]

For anyone not familiar with the NATO T;


http://www.metaliteaviation.com/military/runways/rl-natot.jpg

[timex]

Unless you are using NVG or very bright cyalumes don't bother.

You can buy a commercial set of lights that come in a little case, they are rotating beacons that are battery operated, they are very good. Just make sure whoever sets them out knows exactly what they are doing. Google might help..

[FloaterNorthWest]

Google Eflares.

SPServices sell them. About £400 for a NATO T that you can see and re-use.

[ShyTorque]

Speaking as an ex-mil, ex-police, ex-SAR pilot, I'd say that Cyalumes are usable but not ideal because they aren't really bright enough. If there is no alternative they need to be up on sticks to hold them out of the grass.

[ralphmalph]

Shy makes a good point, if you HAVE to use them, raise them or put them into a small clear water bottle to amplify the light.

The NATO T is dead. The NATO Y is dead. The aid in use now is the Desert Box. 15m long by 10m wide with the longest aspect along the landing direction.

If you really want to you can put two boxes end to end and make a "strip"

Although if you had any choice, use a proper landing system.

Ralph

[sycamore]

5 Gurkhas with torches used to be enough...!

[obnoxio f*ckwit]

Only if they didn't all scatter as the helo got to about 50'!