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| Canadian Aviator Magazine May/June 2004 |
Canadian company Carmanah Technologies Inc. is leading the way in high-tech lights with its new LED lighting system for airports. Based on a combination of several new technologies, Carmanah has been able to produce solar-powered LED lights with an internal battery, visible to three miles and capable of operating just about anywhere in the world where you’d want to have an airport.
The new lights require no cables to be buried, resulting in a significant reduction in installation cost and time, according to Allister Wilmott, Carmanah’s aviation department sales manager. Wilmott also says that the five-year lifecycle of the units means ongoing maintenance is low to non-existent. Prices for the lights range from a few hundred dollars for apron lighting to about $1,100 for runway lights. Obstruction, taxi, and warning lights are also available.
The U.S. military has recently taken an interest in the lights, installing them at several U.S. Air Force bases around the world, including bases in the Middle East, specifically Iraq. According to Wilmott, Carmanah is now working with the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration to develop and test low-cost lighting solutions for general aviation use, as well as developing a standard lighting guideline for smaller airports.