No Aircraft
Flight Crew Air Transport Pilot (ATP); Flight Crew Flight Instructor; Flight Crew Instrument; Flight Crew Multiengine
Flight Crew Last 90 Days 70; Flight Crew Total 2800; Flight Crew Type 900
Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural Published Material / Policy
General None Reported / Taken
ATC Equipment / Nav Facility / Buildings
This is a safety concern that has been present for some time; involving daily flights from CRP. The local area has many towers with obstruction lights that are NOTAMed out of service for several week periods and then are renewed without any action taken. I tried to educate myself on 47 CFR 17.48; but the current situation still presents an immediate danger in the area for the length of time some of the lights are out. Some repeatedly have the NOTAM 'renewed;' which ultimately means the obstruction light is out of service for months. I have tracked some lights that have been out of service for over a year. Of particular concern are six 1;000 foot towers and one 800 feet just west of CRP. These seven towers lie underneath the CRP Class C outer shelf and just outside the Class C surface area. The towers are a constant threat to both helicopters in the area. The towers are extremely thin and difficult to see even on NVGs (Night Vision Goggles). At night; the wires are invisible. The current towers at issue; without lights; are:11/003 - OBST TOWER LGT (ASR UNKNOWN) 274717.00N0973601.00W (5NM W CRP) 1048FT (988FT AGL) NOT LGTD.09/063 - OBST TOWER LGT (ASR 1053367) 273934.00N0973413.00W (7.6NM SSW CRP) 1045.9FT (997.0FT AGL) U/S.09/062 - OBST TOWER LGT (ASR 1053363) 274703.00N0972728.00W (2.5NM ENE CRP) 319.6FT (280.2FT AGL) U/S.This tower is an issue because it is along a commonly used departure route and it has not been lighted [for more than two years!] Based on the history; especially of the 1;000 foot towers; a quicker turnaround time could be the difference between a mishap or not. If there is a way to hold the owners accountable to fixing the lights in a faster amount of time; it should be pursued in the interest of aviation safety; especially given the proximity to CRP.
Helicopter pilot reported concerns with 1;000 foot towers that have had inoperative lighting for extended periods of time.  The tower and guy wires are reportedly difficult to see at night.