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Optonaval

With more owners arriving by helicopter, the helideck has become a highly-critical area—one that must perform flawlessly in all conditions and meet rules from flag, class, and aviation bodies. Central to this are two elements: a reliable Helicopter Visual Landing Aid System (HVLAS) that provides clear yet comfortable visual cues, and a certification approach built on international standards.Adjustable Deck Edge Light <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/8621" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Optonaval (Company)">OPTONAVAL</a>’s ADEL (Adjustable Deck Edge Light) is a low-profile light designed specifically for superyachts. It defines the landing area with a clear, uniform light while minimising glare — a critical detail during night approaches and when pilots’ eyes adjust between bright decks and dark horizons.<img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/382847/image/large-c438e14e412447ae452cc60974503812.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/382847">What it does<ul><li>Provides a continuous visual aid for approach, touchdown, and take-off, with controlled intensity and beam spread in line with international heliport guidance.</li><li>Allows adjustment of installation depth to ensure the light sits flush with the deck highlighting its polished design.</li><li>Interfaces with the Helicopter Control and Monitoring System and dimming controls, enabling the crew to fine-tune light levels and procedures.</li></ul>Installation, made practical<ul><li>Compact, low-profile housings reduce trip hazards and visual clutter.</li><li>Mounting options support both newbuilds and refits, simplifying cabling and through-deck penetrations.</li><li>Top-side serviceability shortens maintenance windows and avoids intrusive deck work.</li></ul>What’s new A recent engineering rework has improved sealing and thermal management, strengthened mechanics for vibration-rich marine environments, and enabled quicker mounting. The result: faster installs, greater robustness, and tighter optical consistency across the helideck.<img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/383267/image/large-eea64cd746dad97cede2f4c89ff0b169.png" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/383267">Certified helicopter landing areas on yachts Yacht helidecks operate at sea and must satisfy multiple authorities. Designers typically align three pillars:<ul><li>Class society rules (e.g. DNV): Deck structural strength, safety, and certification basics.</li><li>International aviation baseline (ICAO Annex 14): Defines heliport characteristics, lighting principles, spacing, and uniformity.</li><li>Operational guidance (e.g. CAP 437): Prescribes a full lighting scheme—perimeter, lit TD/PM circle, and “H”—plus spacing, height limits, friction, and testing.</li></ul>Key technical threads for helicopter decks<ul><li>Deck size (D-value): Restricts helicopter size; clear zones follow from this.</li><li>Lighting: Evenly spaced, height-controlled lights, plus TD/PM circle and “H,” improve pilot cues.</li><li>Documentation: Operating limits, crew procedures, and maintenance/testing records satisfy authorities.</li></ul>Why ADEL matters — audit-ready, refit-friendly Certification is holistic - every component must perform. The ADEL’s low profile and adjustable optics meet spacing and height requirements while delivering a visually consistent deck perimeter. Paired with a lit TD/PM circle and “H”, it supports modern helideck lighting schemes expected by auditors and pilots.For yachts upgrading from older floodlight solutions, switching to an ADEL-based lighting system is a high-impact step toward current standards. Faster installation and improved sealing from the latest ADEL rework make it ideal for yard periods where every hour counts. The ADEL can also be temporarily removed during deck maintenance and easily reinstalled, and its installation depth can be quickly adjusted to accommodate any changes in deck height.<img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/381243/image/large-6b18216a933717bb2487c400ae137cfd.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/381243">This article was first published in <a href="https://www.superyachttimes.com/magazine/how-to-build-it-issue-9-download" target="_blank">issue 9 of How To Build It</a>. You can read all the articles from this edition <a href="https://www.superyachttimes.com/magazine/how-to-build-it-issue-9-download" target="_blank">here</a>, and stay up-to-date with all previous editions <a href="https://www.superyachttimes.com/magazine" target="_blank">here</a>.

Optonaval: Lighting the way to certified helidecks

A light especially designed for a helideck is Optonaval's ADEL.