Helicopter with 3 slowly flashing red lights

[rekno13]

Are helicopters with 3 slowly flashing red lights significant in some way?

I've seen them around Los Angeles but was never sure what they did.

[ARMEDnPISSED]

Perhaps they're LAPD?

[atcman23]

Perhaps a med evac helicopter?  I've seen several helicopters that transport injured around with different types of lights.  Even saw (and heard) a helicopter with a siren!  But, I don't know what good that really does (as if the aircraft in front of it is going to pull over).

[Hollis]

A typical rescue helicopter is shown here:

http://www.fh1100.com/images/Rescue3_758.jpg

Note the red lights (rotating beacons), one under the nose, one on the top and one (not in view) at the top of the vertical stabilizer.
Also note the dark rectangular object just below the open door. That is a siren (and audio voice) loudspeaker.

 

[rekno13]

Mmm, LAPD could be it, cause they were circling I think when I saw them, but I'm usually driving when that happens so couldn't be sure.

But the light location is about right, it sort of frames the helicopter. Didn't hear sirens though.

[Pilot3033]

Anti-collision lights for helicopters are covered here: http://ecfr.gpoaccess.gov/cgi/t/text/text-idx?c=ecfr&sid=301efe22674e71c61251de9f2901b613&rgn=div5&view=text&node=14:1.0.1.3.13&idno=14#14:1.0.1.3.13.6.276.31

All helicopters must use red anti-collision lights (as opposed to fixed wing which use both red beacon and white strobe lights) when flying at night, and they can not flash less than 40 and more than 100 cycles per minute. The lights can overlap, and in those cases CPM can't exceed 180.

That said, I don't know of any exceptions that would make their anti-collision lights appear to be more steady. Just last night I saw an NYPD helicopter hovering over the east river with slow flashing beacons, perhaps emergency service operators prefer to keep their beacons at 40CPM. I'm not as familiar with non-fixed wing regulation. However, it really could just be a trick of the eyes, especially if both of you are moving, or if you're near tall buildings that have red beacons on their high points.

[rekno13]

Thanks for all the details!

[atcman23]

A typical rescue helicopter is shown here:

http://www.fh1100.com/images/Rescue3_758.jpg

Note the red lights (rotating beacons), one under the nose, one on the top and one (not in view) at the top of the vertical stabilizer.
Also note the dark rectangular object just below the open door. That is a siren (and audio voice) loudspeaker.

Dude that guy in the picture is hilarious!  Looks like Jackie Gleason the rescue helicopter pilot.