How We Tested the FIREFLY Mobile Light Cross at an Airport (Case Study)

Company SOLLAU s.r.o.
Date 03.03.2026

Airport operations leave no room for error — safety is always the top priority. That’s why we subjected our FIREFLY mobile light cross to thorough testing directly in an airport environment. This wasn’t just a standard field check — we chartered an aircraft to confirm from the cockpit that FIREFLY is clearly visible from significant distances and higher altitudes. The entire process was documented on video.

 

The Challenge: How to Clearly Mark a Closed Runway in Any Weather?

Whenever a runway is closed due to maintenance or unfavorable conditions, it must be marked in a way that is unmistakable and highly visible.

Our objective was to confirm that FIREFLY fulfills strict requirements for visibility, mobility, and user-friendliness — not only from ground level but also from the perspective of approaching pilots.

 

The Solution: FIREFLY – Highly Visible, Mobile, and Reliable

FIREFLY was engineered to deliver:

Outstanding visibility

  • Visible up to 8 km during the day
  • At least 9.7 km at night
  • Verified directly from an aircraft during approach

Rapid deployment

  • Can be assembled and activated by a single person in under 30 seconds

High performance lighting

  • 13 inLED lights
  • Light intensity of 93,470 cd
  • Three operating modes: day, night, automatic

Extended operating time

  • Gasoline generator provides up to 120 hours of operation on one tank
  • Backup emergency power supply ensures up to 2 additional hours

Easy transportation

  • Capability to transport two crosses simultaneously for marking both runway ends

 

The Result: Proven Performance in Real Airport Conditions

Testing at the airport — including in-flight visibility verification — confirmed that FIREFLY meets demanding standards for safe and effective runway closure marking. Its exceptional visibility, straightforward handling, and fast deployment make it a dependable solution for both regional and major international airports.

 

FIREFLY – The Only Mobile Light Cross Manufactured in Europe

With in-house development and production in the Czech Republic, we can tailor each unit to the specific operational requirements of your airport.

Together, we’ll make sure your airport is prepared for any situation.

Link to FIREFLY page

Video:

Contact

SOLLAU s.r.o.
Hrivínuv Ujezd 212
763 07 Velky Orechov
Czech Republic
  • +420 576 013 873