Wind Turbine Aviation Lighting Requirements. August 2014

Transcription

1 Wind Turbine Aviation Lighting Requirements August 2014

2 Introduction This document presents information to help answer the following questions regarding wind turbine aviation lighting: What requirements are there to ensure the lights are reliable (e.g. battery backup etc.)? What requirements are there to monitor performance? What requirements are there to repair failed lights? What requirements are there to report lights that fail? An evaluation of relevant documentation has been undertaken to identify, review and summarise published guidance on these matters. Publishers include: Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) Military Aviation Authority (MAA) International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) National Air Traffic Services Ltd (NATS) Whilst a comprehensive list of documents has been considered, it should be accepted that there could be other relevant guidance that has not been identified. Documents Reviewed Number Document Publisher CAP 764 CAA Policy and Guidelines on Wind Turbines CAA MADS Manual of Aerodrome Design and Safeguarding (MADS) MAA CAP 168 Licensing of Aerodromes CAA CAP 393 Air Navigation Order CAA Annex 14 Annex 14 Chapter 6 ICAO CAA Policy Policy Statement: Lighting of En-Route Obstacles and Onshore Wind Turbines Policy Statement: The Lighting of Wind Turbine Generators in United Kingdom Territorial Waters CAA CAA AIP NATS AIP ENR 1.1 NATS Wind Turbine Aviation Lighting Requirements August

3 CAP 764 Section Page # Relevant Findings Chapter 2, Offshore Helicopter Operations Chapter 2, En- Route Obstruction 33 No directly specific guidance 37 No directly specific guidance Chapter 3, Obstructions, Lighting and Marking 40 References to: (1) Articles 219 & 220 of the Air Navigation Order (2) ICAO Annex 14 Chapter (3) UK AIP ENR [3.9] Any lighting failure is rectified as soon as is reasonably practicable applies to en-route obstacles which are higher than 150 metres. MADS Section Page # Relevant Findings Annex 6A and 6B Ground Lights (AGL) Chapter 7, Lighting of Obstacles Chapter 8, Interleaving of AGL Electrical Circuits Intensity of lights should exceed 50% of their design value. AGL equipment should comply with ICAO Annex 14. Reference to ICAO Aerodrome Design Manual Part 4 for Guidance on the design, location and operation of high intensity obstacle lights. Configuration of electrical systems for AGL should be designed so that a single failure will not cause a total lack of guidance. There are specific requirements for various forms of lighting but none for obstacle lighting. Wind Turbine Aviation Lighting Requirements August

4 CAP 168 Section Page # Relevant Findings Chapter 4, Marking and Lighting of Obstacles and Unserviceable Surface Areas, 21 [12.1.1] The responsibility for marking and lighting obstacles on or near aerodromes must be determined between the aerodrome licence holder and the owner of the structures. The CAA is not concerned with the allocation of the responsibility but may withhold, suspend, vary or withdraw a licence if the following requirements for lighting and/or marking are not met. Chapter 6, Ground Lighting, Obstacle Lighting 25 No directly specific guidance Chapter 6, Ground Lighting, Alternate Input Power Supply for AGL Systems Chapter 6, Ground Lighting, Control and Monitoring of Ground Lighting A maximum switchover time of 15 seconds is specified between alternate supplies for obstacle lighting. When in use, the operational status of the AGL system should be continuously monitored. An appropriate means of detecting an AGL system failure or fault and other serviceability information should be provided. The AGL system serviceability information should be provided to the AGL operator in a simple but accurate and concise way, so that if necessary the user may pass a report to flight crew. The report should enable flight crew to determine whether the AGL meets their current operational flight requirements or not (see paragraph [11.3.5]). There is a lot of information in this section. It appears to be generally written for on-airport lighting. There are no specific references to off airfield obstruction lights. Wind Turbine Aviation Lighting Requirements August

5 Section Page # Relevant Findings Chapter 6, Ground Lighting, Maintenance of AGL Systems 36 [12.1.6] The performance of lights can change rapidly, especially at large aerodromes with high movement rates. Therefore, it is important to assess performance accurately on a regular basis and act upon the information collected. The frequency with which such assessments should be undertaken is dependent upon the type and age of the installation, maintenance policy adopted, movement rates and prevailing weather conditions. Typically, a weekly survey, with associated maintenance, has been found to be adequate for a major aerodrome. [12.3.7] Where AGL and equipment is installed on private land, rights of access should be maintained in order that regular maintenance may be carried out. [12.3.8] If the process detailed in paragraph [12.2.2] is carried out on a regular and adequate basis, individual lamp conformance can be assessed and therefore a lamp could be changed or cleaned on an individual basis and only when necessary. Where it is not possible to perform this level of maintenance, AGL lamps should be replaced in groups as part of a planned change programme based on the length of operating time or an observed deterioration. Lamps should be changed after 90% of nominal life at maximum luminous intensity (operating time at other luminous intensity levels being ignored). Any observed deterioration of an AGL pattern should be promptly corrected. The replacement of AGL lamps only on failure should be a last resort. [12.3.9] The insulation value of a primary series circuit may decrease by a very significant amount before any operational effect on the AGL is noticed; however, in this case there would be a much greater risk of harm to maintenance or installation persons. Therefore, a device should be provided to measure the insulation value of the primary series circuit with an error of not greater than 10%. The measurement should be performed as part of the routine maintenance or by using an automatic facility. Where an automatic measurement facility is provided, the measurement shall be done at a rate of not less than once per hour. Remedial action should be taken where the insulation between primary and secondary series circuits and between primary series circuit and earth falls below 30 MΩ. The insulation properties of secondary series circuit cables should be checked on a regular basis and when an insulation failure is suspected. The resistance between secondary series circuit and earth should be not less than 5 MΩ. Wind Turbine Aviation Lighting Requirements August

6 Section Page # Relevant Findings [ ] Adequate spares should be held on site in order to support the complete AGL system maintenance procedures. An appropriate parts control system should be instigated in order to ensure that the correct parts are available and used when replacements are carried out. Components such as lenses may appear to be identical but may have substantially different photometric performance. [ ] Licence holders should adopt maintenance practices to minimise the potential for intergranular corrosion of aluminium alloy light fittings. Corrosion may be initiated by the use of high alkaline property cleaning fluids, which may damage or destroy the passivated layer protecting the fitting from corrosion. [ ] Daily inspections of AGLs are specified as a minimum requirement. [ ] All maintenance activities should be recorded in a suitable log. Maintenance and flight check records should be retained for at least three years at the aerodrome for use by maintenance staff and for examination during licensing inspections. [12.6.1] A check of an alternate input power supply to the AGL system (where provided) operating under full load should be made at least once each month. Where the alternate input power supply is provided by independent generators, they should be run for at least 15 minutes under full load when carrying out this check. [12.6.2] Where automatic switch-over is provided for the AGL system input power supplies, a check of the switching system should be made in addition to those checks contained in paragraph [12.6.1] in order to ensure that the switchover times required at Table 6.5 can be met. [12.6.3] A log should be kept detailing each check undertaken. Switch-over times and generator running times should be noted along with any action taken to ensure that the requirements are met. There is a lot of information in this section. It appears to be generally written for on-airport lighting. Appendix 6A Ground Lighting Characteristics No directly specific guidance. Wind Turbine Aviation Lighting Requirements August

7 Section Page # Relevant Findings Chapter 10 Information 1 [1.4] For the guidance of pilots and operators seeking a briefing from the aerodrome authority details of the following should always be available: a) construction or maintenance work on or immediately adjacent to the manoeuvring area; b) unserviceable portions of any part of the manoeuvring area; c) the presence and depth of snow, ice or slush on runways and taxiways; d) runway surface condition when affected by water - damp, wet, water patches or flooded as appropriate; e) snow drifted or piled on or adjacent to runways or taxiways; f) parked aircraft or other objects on or immediately adjacent to taxiways; g) the presence of other temporary hazards; h) failure or irregular operation of any part of the aerodrome lighting system or of the aerodrome main and secondary power supplies; i) failure, irregular operation and changes in the operational status of any electronic approach or navigation aid or aeronautical communications facility; j) failures and changes in the RVR observer system; along with any other information of operational significance. Wind Turbine Aviation Lighting Requirements August

8 Section Page # Relevant Findings Chapter 10 Information 1 [2.1] Whenever any of the following conditions occur or can be anticipated and are of operational significance, the licence holder should take action to amend the UK AIP and/or to promulgate the change by NOTAM by contacting AIS: a) changes in the availability of the manoeuvring area and changes in the runway declared distances; except that increases in declared distances may only be made with the agreement of the Aerodrome Standards Department; b) changes in the permanent level of RFFS category; except that changes may only be made with the agreement of the Aerodrome Standards Department; c) significant changes in aerodrome lighting and other visual aids; d) presence or removal of temporary obstructions to aircraft operation in the manoeuvring area; e) presence or removal of hazardous conditions due to snow, ice or slush on the movement area; NOTE: Notification of such conditions may be by use of the SNOWTAM proforma (form CA 1271). Details on how to complete the SNOWTAM form are published in an AIC. f) presence of airborne hazards to air navigation; g) interruption, return to service, or major changes to rescue facilities and fire fighting services available, except that permanent changes to the promulgated RFF Category may only be made with the agreement of the Aerodrome Standards Department; h) failure or return to operation of hazard beacons and obstruction lights on or in the vicinity of the aerodrome; i) erection or removal of obstructions to air navigation, and erection or removal of significant obstacles in take-off, climb or approach areas; j) air displays, air races, parachute jumping, or any unusual aviation activity along with any other information of operational significance. Wind Turbine Aviation Lighting Requirements August

9 Section Page # Relevant Findings Chapter 10 Information 1 [2.2] When any of the above arises at short notice a request for NOTAM action should be made to AIS. AIS for AIP Amendment, Supplement, AIC and NOTAM is: Information Service Heathrow House Bath Road Cranford Middlesex TW5 9AT UK NOTAM Office (available H24): /3774 UK AIS Publications (AIP etc.) (available Monday to Friday): Facsimile: AIS website: AFTN address: EGGNYNYX CAP 393 Section Page # Relevant Findings Section 1 The Air Navigation Order 2009, Part 28, 218 Lights Section 1 The Air Navigation Order 2009, 219 Lighting of en-route obstacles 1 1 A person must not intentionally or negligently damage or interfere with any aeronautical ground light established by or with the permission of the CAA. En-route obstacles only (i.e. > 150m tall) [2] The person in charge of an en-route obstacle must, subject to paragraph [3], ensure that by night the lights required to be fitted by this article are displayed. [3] In the event of the failure of any light which is required by this article to be displayed by night the person in charge must repair or replace the light as soon as reasonably practicable. Refers to Section 47 of Civil Aviation Act 1982 being applicable to civil aerodromes. Wind Turbine Aviation Lighting Requirements August

10 Section Page # Relevant Findings Section 1 The Air Navigation Order 2009, 220 Lighting of wind turbine generators in United Kingdom territorial waters 2 Wind turbines in UK territorial waters > 60m tall [6] Subject to paragraph [7], the person in charge of a wind turbine generator must ensure that by night, any light required to be fitted by this article is displayed. [7] In the event of the failure of any light which is required by this article to be displayed by night the person in charge of a wind turbine generator must repair or replace the light as soon as reasonably practicable. Annex 14 Section All Relevant Findings No directly specific guidance. CAA Policy Section All Relevant Findings No directly specific guidance. AIP Section All Relevant Findings Advises that details of unserviceability of lights on land based air navigation obstacles having a height of less than 150m are sometimes lit but details of unserviceability are not normally promulgated. Conclusions There appear to be four types of development with differing requirements. These are: Offshore ( 60m) Onshore ( 150m) Onshore (<150m) Onshore (<150m) with lighting required by a civil licensed aerodrome In most cases there are no specific absolute requirements for design of backup supplies, performance monitoring, and notification of failure or specific repair times. Wind Turbine Aviation Lighting Requirements August

11 The most relevant guidance identified is summarised in the table below: Wind Development Type Design for Reliability Performance Monitoring Notification of Failure Repair Time Offshore ( 60m) Ensure by night the lights are displayed No specific advice NOTAM 1 likely to be issued should NATS AIS be contacted Repaired as soon as reasonably practicable Onshore ( 150m) Ensure by night the lights are displayed No specific advice NOTAM likely to be issued should NATS AIS be contacted Rectified as soon as reasonably practicable Onshore (<150m) No specific advice No specific advice NOTAM unlikely to be issued No specific advice Onshore (<150m) Civil Aerodrome Maximum 15 second switchover time to alternate power supply (if there is one). Lighting maintenance and management programme required. Daily inspection logged Aerodrome NOTAM required In accordance with airport management policies. Unfortunately there is no clear guidance on what as soon as reasonably practicable means. 1 NOTAM Notice to Airmen Wind Turbine Aviation Lighting Requirements August

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