A helicopter search light includes at least one first light source, with the at least one first light source in operation providing a spot light functionality of the helicopter search light, at least one second light source, with the at least one second light source in operation providing a flood light functionality of the helicopter search light, and a switching circuit having a first switching state, with only the at least one first light source being switched on and the helicopter search light providing a pure spot light functionality in the first switching state, and a second switching state, with only the at least one second light source being switched on and the helicopter search light providing a pure flood light functionality in the second switching state.