Aircraft Lighting Requirements?

[Mike Davis]

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From: David Ricker <ricker@dbis.ns.ca>
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Hi Folks

We are at the point where some decisions need to be made on various
lights for the Rebel (Elite) and I would like to ask your opinions.

Premise: The plane is to be legal for day & night operation in Canada
(and probably USA visits). I am presuming VFR at this point but
discussion of IFR issues is welcome.

We believe the required lighting is:

Strobe (400 Cp).
Position, one at each wing tip, red, green.
Rear position, white
Landing light, (power?)

Each of these has its' own set of visibility angle specification etc.

We would appreciate input on specifications required for homebuilts,
economical sources and suggested approaches.

Questions include:

What is most cost effective? All in one wing tip strobe/L & R
position/rear position (Whelen for example) or breaking up into wing tip
position & fin strobe & rear position or other options?

Is sourcing experienced (used) parts advisable?

What about shielding issues? What about strobe high voltage boxes
mounted centrally or at the strobe?

Can we make some of the hardware? Does it have to be CAA/FAA approved
or can we "home brew" the works? What kind of approvals would be
required for home made components?


What have you done?

Looking forward to the discussion,

Thanks

Dave Ricker
Francine Desharnais
Elite #583




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[klehman]

Some interesting questions Dave. I would like to hear more about this as
well
but I don't have anything but second hand info to offer. FWIW Whelen claim
that
their strobes are way brighter than AeroFlash. At least some of the
Aeroflash
units are not Pma'd so this is probably correct. The Whelen wingtip flash
tubes
are coiled whereas the Aeroflash units use smaller U shaped tubes. I've
never
seen the numbers. Whelen also claims that a centrally located power supply
causes no radio static if properly installed. Lots of guys say their
experiences
are otherwise though, and to go with remote power supplies located at the
strobe. I think some guys don't like the thought of high voltage wires
going
out past their fuel tanks either.

Anyway the fuselage mounted strobes seem brighter than the wing tip strobes
to
me. Is one sufficient to do the job though? Another thing I've noticed is
that
any strobe, even from a homemade unit or a $15. kit, is a dramatic
improvement
compared to a flashing bulb or a rotating beacon at night. They also use
less
power than a rotating beacon if that is a concern. The commercial
multi-flash
units are attention getters though.

I also get the impression that Aeroflash is very good about reasonable cost
quick repairs. Probably better value with Aeroflash. Have also seen guys
install
a Whelen wiring harness and wait to buy the strobes later. Kinda locks you
into
the pricier Whelen units though.

Ken

David Ricker wrote:

Hi Folks
We are at the point where some decisions need to be made on various
lights for the Rebel (Elite) and I would like to ask your opinions.

snip

What have you done?
Looking forward to the discussion,
Thanks

[mike.davis]

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Subject: Re: Aircraft Lighting Requirements?
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----- Original Message -----
From: <klehman@albedo.net>
To: (Murphy Rebel Builders List) <murphy-rebel@dcsol.com>
Sent: Sunday, September 19, 1999 10:01 AM
Subject: Re: Aircraft Lighting Requirements?


Hi,
I used the whelen wingtip lights whith the built in strobes. The Whelen
power supplies were really pricey though so I used two of the $85 Aeroflash
supplies - one in each wing close to the tip. They have the same connector
as the Whelen supplies and seem to work really well. No vendor will admit
that whelen and aeroflash are compatible with each other but they seem to
be. You're right about the coiled flash tube in the Whelen lights - they
are very bright.

Some interesting questions Dave. I would like to hear more about this as

well

but I don't have anything but second hand info to offer. FWIW Whelen claim

that

their strobes are way brighter than AeroFlash. At least some of the

Aeroflash

units are not Pma'd so this is probably correct. The Whelen wingtip flash

tubes

are coiled whereas the Aeroflash units use smaller U shaped tubes. I've

never

seen the numbers. Whelen also claims that a centrally located power supply
causes no radio static if properly installed. Lots of guys say their

experiences

are otherwise though, and to go with remote power supplies located at the
strobe. I think some guys don't like the thought of high voltage wires

going

out past their fuel tanks either.

Anyway the fuselage mounted strobes seem brighter than the wing tip

strobes to

me. Is one sufficient to do the job though? Another thing I've noticed is

that

any strobe, even from a homemade unit or a $15. kit, is a dramatic

improvement

compared to a flashing bulb or a rotating beacon at night. They also use

less

power than a rotating beacon if that is a concern. The commercial

multi-flash

units are attention getters though.

I also get the impression that Aeroflash is very good about reasonable

cost

quick repairs. Probably better value with Aeroflash. Have also seen guys

install

a Whelen wiring harness and wait to buy the strobes later. Kinda locks you

into

the pricier Whelen units though.

Ken

David Ricker wrote:

Hi Folks
We are at the point where some decisions need to be made on various
lights for the Rebel (Elite) and I would like to ask your opinions.

snip

What have you done?
Looking forward to the discussion,
Thanks

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