What type(s) of lights are used for both the inverted Y and T light formations?

• A. Strobe lights
• B. LED markers
• C. Fluorescent markers
• D. Beacon (bean bag) and Cyalume (chemlight)

Answer: (D)

For night sling-load signaling, patterns like the inverted Y and the T are created with simple, portable glow sources that you can place on the load or on the ground to guide the helicopter. The combination of beacon-style lights (the bean bag type) and chemlights (Cyalume) fits this need best. They provide a steady, visible glow, require no power source on the devices themselves, and can be positioned precisely to form the vertical and crossbar elements of the patterns. This makes them practical for reliably signaling the pilot during hover, hookup, or pickup.

Strobe lights aren’t ideal for forming these steady patterns because they flash and can be disorienting in a hover or near rotor wash. LED markers are useful in many settings but typically involve batteries and may not be as readily deployed or arranged for these specific formations. Fluorescent markers don’t emit light themselves and rely on ambient lighting to be seen, so they don’t create the clear night-signaling effect needed for these shapes.