US Patent 10136492 Helicopter search light

A helicopter search light comprises: a lighting arrangement, having at least one light source, the lighting arrangement having an adjustable light output; a light detector, which is configured for detecting light emitted by the at least one light source and reflected by the ground and/or at least one item on the ground and for providing a detection signal which is correlated to an amount of light detected; and a control unit which is configured for controlling the adjustable light output of the lighting arrangement of the helicopter search light depending on the detection signal provided by the light detector.