> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://docs.czautoz.co.uk/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Lights

> Spotlight and navigation lights — how they work, battery requirements, and server configuration.

Each helicopter has two independent light systems, both operated by the control-holding cockpit seat.

<Note>
  As part of the DayZ 1.29 **CarScript** base rework, the old default light handling was dropped, so navigation lights and the spotlight have been **reworked as independent, network-synced toggles** that every nearby player can see. Default keys: **Spotlight = `L`**, **Navigation Lights = `N`** (both rebindable in the controls settings).
</Note>

***

## Spotlight

A long-range white searchlight mounted on the helicopter.

* Toggled with the **`L`** key (default) by the control-holding cockpit seat — a network-synced toggle visible to nearby players
* Illuminates a wide cone forward from the aircraft — useful for night operations and searching terrain
* Toggling the spotlight also toggles the **cockpit dashboard and instrument lighting** — turning the spotlight on activates the interior instrument panel lights; turning it off extinguishes them
* **Requires a fitted, charged battery to turn on.** If the battery is dead, the spotlight cannot be activated
* Turning the spotlight **off** is never blocked — you can always shut it off regardless of battery state
* Drains the battery at `battery.lightDrain` units per second while active

***

## Navigation Lights

Standard aviation navigation lights for visibility and orientation.

* Toggled with the **`N`** key (default) by the control-holding cockpit seat — a network-synced toggle visible to nearby players
* Includes:
  * **Port light** — red, left side
  * **Starboard light** — green, right side
  * **Tail light** — white, rear
  * **Anti-collision beacon** — red, flashing
* **Requires a fitted, charged battery to turn on**
* Turning off is never blocked
* Drains the battery at `battery.lightDrain` units per second while active

***

## Battery & Lights

Both light systems share the same battery drain rate. If both are on simultaneously, the drain doubles.

| Setting              | What it does                                             | Default |
| -------------------- | -------------------------------------------------------- | ------- |
| `battery.lightDrain` | Battery units drained per second while any lights are on | `2.0`   |

Battery maximum charge is 500 units. With default settings, running both lights simultaneously drains the battery at 4.0 units/second — a fully charged battery would last approximately 2 minutes with both active. The engine recharges the battery at `battery.chargeRate` (default `5.0` units/second) while running, so lights during flight will typically not drain the battery.

<Tip>
  To disable battery drain from lights entirely, set `battery.lightDrain` to `0` in the helicopter's JSON config. Lights will still require charge to **turn on**, but won't drain the battery while on.
</Tip>

***

## HUD Indicators

The HUD displays light status icons visible to both pilot and co-pilot, showing whether the spotlight and navigation lights are currently on or off.

See [Controls Reference](/features/controls) for the full light toggle action details.