New obstruction lighting system for aviation safety

Abstract

Signposting and illuminating obstacles is meant to reduce risks to aircraft by aiding the pilot in locating dangers. However, many of the obstacles to air transport, such as telecommunication towers, can surpass heights of 45 m. This implies that the installation or repair of the beacon system can involve serious risks to the personnel in charge of such work, as the tower must be climbed with the use of harnesses, helmets, and other means of protection with the hazards that these involve. To avoid these drawbacks, in this study we have designed an obstruction lighting system in which the light source lies at the base of the structure and the light, travelling through a bundle of optical fibers, rises to any point of the telecommunication tower, pole, chimney, stack or similar skeletal structures. Therefore, the proposed system would provide a major improvement in safety, not only for air traffic, but also for workers.