LED lighting for aerospaces and aviation

LED lighting in the aerospace and aviation industries is gaining popularity with many organisations enjoying the benefits of low maintenance, reliable illumination with long life and low power consumption. Airports and aerospace manufacturing sites around the world are upgrading to LED lighting systems for improved energy efficiency, significant cost reduction and optimal working conditions for staff.

Lighting an airport for example can be complex due to the number of applications involved. Selecting an LED solution that provides the right colour temperature can have significant impact on the feel and functionality of that space. Open areas such as departure lounges, security areas, airport hangers and car parks will benefit from cleaner, brighter, evenly distributed light, whereas restaurants, bars and some retail outlets within the terminal will install warm mood lighting to create the desired ambience.

LED Eco Lights is a UK LED manufacturer and designer of the award-winning Goodlight range of energy efficient, long-life LED lamps and luminaires. These LED solutions are widely recognised as amongst the most reliable, well-engineered and innovative LED lights on the market and have been installed at a number of airports and aerospace manufacturing sites across the country, including Bournemouth Airport, British Airways, Civil Aviation Authority, Heathrow Airports, Jersey Airport, Middlesex Aerospace and Pattonair.

The exceptionally large Goodlight range allows customers to choose an LED light source that delivers exactly the right amount and type of light to each area. They switch on instantly at full brightness, are maintenance-free and guaranteed for five years.  The advantages of converting to LED lighting for an organisation include immediate energy savings, superior light quality, safety and security.

Immediate Energy Savings

The main benefit of upgrading to LED lighting is the huge energy savings that can be made. Evaluation of Goodlight LED products has demonstrated energy savings up to 85% and in addition, maintenance savings of up to 100% can be achieved. Typical return on investment calculations show full payback from as little as three months, therefore, a new installation can essentially be funded from the energy savings alone.

The installation of Goodlight LED luminaires at various sites within London’s Heathrow Airport has resulted in immediate energy savings of up to 77%. Return on investment was on target and achieved within 24 months, following lengthy in-situ trials. Heathrow were delighted that Goodlight met their corporate lighting plan by exactly matching the colour output of existing lighting to suit their various installation sites and by ensuring minimal maintenance with zero lamp failures during the trial period. View the Heathrow LED lighting installation here

Another satisfied customer is Pattonair, a global aerospace and defence supply chain provider who has reduced its lighting energy costs by 40% following the installation of low energy, high performance G5 LED Battens from the Goodlight range, replacing outdated, energy hungry fluorescent tubes within the aerospace’s warehouse, inspection and kitting areas. The installation has resulted in a 40% reduction in kilowatt hours which is spot on target with their original forecast. View the Pattonair aerospace LED lighting case study here

Superior Light Quality 

LEDs have a better quality of light distribution and focus light in a specific direction as opposed to fluorescent lighting that spreads the light more spherically. Goodlight LED lighting provides directional light that gives optimum visibility that is glare and flicker-free. In aviation and aerospace environments where long operating hours are the norm, high lighting levels are crucial not only to enhance employee performance, but for the overall safety and efficiency in the workplace.  Poor lighting increases the risk of errors and accidents, which in the aviation industry, is not an option.

Middlesex Aerospace, a leader and strategic manufacturer of aerospace engineering components, was thrilled with achieving up to 80% energy savings and the improved working conditions in the production factory and inspection area at its manufacturing site in Hampshire after upgrading to Goodlight GX1 LED High Bays.

John Masey, Senior Buyer at Middlesex Aerospace said, “Since the installation, we have been very impressed with the light quality which is evenly distributed over the factory floor.  The new Goodlight LED lighting is flicker-free, therefore reducing eye strain, has low UV emissions and promotes performance amongst our staff, greatly improving the working environment. In addition, we are making substantial energy savings and have eliminated maintenance costs.”

Safety and Security

Passenger safety and security is a high priority for any airport and lighting has a crucial role to play.  An efficient lighting system can mirror natural daylight during hours of darkness to fit with the 24/7 nature of many busy airports such as Heathrow and illuminate accessed areas, for example walkways and car parks.  Eliminating pockets of darkness with a robust LED lighting system will give passengers greater peace of mind and a better overall customer journey.

Organisations are able to fund lighting replacement programmes from their operating budgets by taking advantage of Goodlight’s Bright Plan LED leasing scheme. This allows the replacement lights to be paid for directly by the energy savings and the customer will own the lights outright at the end of the lease. Goodlight offers businesses a free site survey which will provide a detailed breakdown of suitable replacement light fittings, the installed cost and the return on investment from savings on energy and maintenance costs. They also guarantee all Goodlight LED lighting for five years, making installation risk-free.

Conclusion

As shown in the case studies above, upgrading to LED lighting has seen businesses reap the rewards of immediate energy savings, enhanced working conditions and customer satisfaction.   With products such as the award-winning Goodlight range of LED lamps and luminaires, airports and manufacturing sites can all benefit from reliable, long life, maintenance free LED lighting that enhances its environment and improves security and safety for all.

Learn more about LED lighting for aerospaces here