Does an airplane have a sweeping beam of light?

Question

We live near an airport but just saw something I haven't seen before.

It was either a small plane or a helicopter but there were no green lights, looked like two red lights only.

But the thing I thought was weird was that it looked like an airplane but had a beam of light coming from it pointing downward and it moved around independent of the plane's direction.

Would an airplane of any kind have such a thing?

Answer 1

searchlight

most helicopter have movable landing lights, in addition some of them have the searchlight to illuminate the surface to search for criminals, lost persons, crashsites etc.

the search lights might even have the IR filter, so basically you would not be able to see the cone nor the light - law enforcement usage.

i could imagine that some coast guard airPLANES are equipped with similar devices, i just cannot imagine the mount for it so sturdy it would survive the airspeed of a flzing c-130, for instance. Searchlight pointed downwards also would require special crewmember to spot the ground /preferably with LLTV or similar device/, since the pilots don't see well under the plane.

regarding your possibel second question, i can tell you My helicopter displays two red (!) flashing anti collision lights, and the position lights /red and green and white/ might be purposedly off. then obviously the craft seems to only shine in red colour. Otherwise, all helicopters follow the standard pattern of position lights like all fixed wings

Answer 2

yes, in the front of it they use it for the clouds at night times or if its to cloudy. they also have flashing lights for signals.

Answer 3

maybe aliens from outer space

Answer 4

If you saw it from the left side, you would see only the red navigation light.

What you are describing sounds like the searchlight that is mounted on some helicopters for police surveillance and rescue purposes.

It can be difficult to judge the altitude of an aircraft, especially at night.  So I would bet on the "helicopter searchlight" explanation.