Helicopter daylight settings
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Configurable Daylight & Twilight Rules for Helicopter Logistics

Helicopter daylight settings control when helicopter operations are permitted based on available daylight. This is a critical safety constraint for offshore wind farm operations.



Daylight Restriction Options

None

  • When no daylight restriction is applied, helicopter operations are permitted at all times, including during night hours.
  • This option is primarily intended for testing, emergency scenarios, or situations where night vision equipment and well-lit landing areas are available. It allows simulation behavior to be evaluated without any daylight-related constraints.

Official (Sunrise / Sunset)

  • Under the official daylight restriction, helicopter operations are only permitted between sunrise and sunset, when the sun is above the horizon.
  • This is the most restrictive daylight-only option and represents a conservative, safety-focused operating model that excludes all twilight periods.

Civil Twilight (Default)

  • The civil twilight setting allows helicopter operations from the beginning of civil twilight in the morning until the end of civil twilight in the evening.
  • During this period, there is typically sufficient natural light to operate safely without artificial lighting. This setting reflects standard offshore aviation practice and provides a realistic balance between operational efficiency and safety.

Nautical Twilight

  • When nautical twilight is selected, helicopter operations are permitted during periods when the sea horizon remains visible, even though the sun is further below the horizon.
  • This option extends the daily operating window beyond civil twilight and generally provides an additional 30 to 40 minutes of usable time per day, making it suitable for experienced crews and favorable conditions.

Astronomical Twilight

  • The astronomical twilight option permits helicopter operations during very low light conditions, when the sky is still faintly illuminated, but the sun is significantly below the horizon.
  • This is the most permissive twilight-based setting and can extend daily operations by up to 60 to 90 minutes, which can be particularly valuable during winter operations at high latitudes.