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Ianrat

Joined: 31 Mar 2008
Posts: 43
Location: Brisbane AUSTRALIA

Posted: Mon Jan 26, 2009 3:57 am Post subject: Strobe Lights

Apart from AveoEngineering & Aeroled is there any other wing flashers on the market.

I only need strobes no navigation lights. 

Or are there any details on how to make my own.

Thank you



Ianrat

ckleman(at)charter.net
Guest

Posted: Mon Jan 26, 2009 9:32 am Post subject: Strobe Lights

That's a good question, and I'd like to piggyback that with another question/possible solution.



After looking into the pricing of the nav/strobe lights, I was wondering possible solutions for them pricey buggers, especially since I plan to have them enclosed in a plexiglass lens built into the wing tips. There seems to be two simple solutions, however I'm not sure how much of a stickler they might be on the inspection since it's "not an aviation approved part".



Nav Lights:  http://www.attwoodmarine.com/products/parts.asp?productid=1004&path=navlights&category=3&gtype=1&group=3&subgroup=0&categoryname=Navigation+Lighting&typename=Sidelight&headername=Navigation+Lighting



Strobe Lights:  http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item 20326016266&sspagename=STRK%3AMEWAX%3AIT&viewitem=



Now with the strobes you would of course need an enclosure of some sorts in your case..  The strobe itself could be screwed to the wing tip with it's 2 provided holes, and I'm sure an enclosure could be thought up or modified (perhaps by just buying the lens assembly for an aircraft strobe?).   However, in the case of putting one in the wingtip under a plexiglass lens what are peoples suggestions?  Does the glass lens have any sort of amplifying qualities?



And what are people thoughts on the red/green sidelights?  They almost look like they're made for aviation at least...



Thanks

--

Christopher Kleman

Mustang-II #2397 Plans Building

http://www.mustangaero.com/



---- Ianrat <ianrat(at)powerup.com.au> wrote: 



=============




Apart from AveoEngineering & Aeroled is there any other wing flashers on the market.

I only need strobes no navigation lights. 

Or are there any details on how to make my own.

Thank you



Ianrat





Read this topic online here:



http://forums.matronics.com/viewtopic.php?p 26830#226830

Dick Maddux

Joined: 24 Jun 2008
Posts: 516
Location: Milton, Fl

Posted: Tue Jan 27, 2009 6:46 am Post subject: Strobe Lights

Hi,

  I am new to this list as I decided to expand my  information input.

  In regards to The Aveo strobes,I have them on my Kitfox. The amp load is very low and that is why I bought them. I removed my Whelens and sold the set on EBAY. Now I wish I had them back. The Aveo's work well but they are no where near as bright as the Whelens.

                                                            Dick Maddux

                                                            Kitfox 4-1200

                                                            Rotax 912UL

                                                            Pensacola,Fl

 From Wall Street to Main Street and everywhere in between, stay up-to-date with the [url=http://aol.com?ncid=emlcntaolcom00000023 ]latest news[/url].

Kitfox_038.jpg

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mlas(at)cox.net
Guest

Posted: Tue Jan 27, 2009 8:52 am Post subject: Strobe Lights

Dick,

I to have switched out my Whelen strobe system for the Aveo.  I on the other hand really like the system vs. the standard strobe setup.  First I would say the important issue is visibility in flight not on the ground.  Our tests (not formal) show that a new Whelen strobe is a bit more visible then the Aveo.  We also found that the Aveo is more visible then the Aeroflash system.  Most importantly we noted that on three airplanes that had Whelen systems that were two years or more in age the Aveo was the same or more visible.  The pros to the Aveo system: in most installations a 3 plus pound weight savings was achieved, a savings of 170 watts +/- 20 depending on which brand of strobe you installed( that's 14-amps on a 12v system),  the Aveo does not put out high voltage and therefore is less problematic with RF noise,  the Aveo light life has a 20,000 hours life and is virtually maintenance free, the Aveo unit takes up much less space, and most importantly, if you find the right dealer the price is half or more depending on which brand of strobe you purchased.

Just my take,

Mike Larkin



On Jan 27, 2009, at 7:39 AM, Catz631(at)aol.com (Catz631(at)aol.com) wrote:

[quote] Hi,

  I am new to this list as I decided to expand my  information input.

  In regards to The Aveo strobes,I have them on my Kitfox. The amp load is very low and that is why I bought them. I removed my Whelens and sold the set on EBAY. Now I wish I had them back. The Aveo's work well but they are no where near as bright as the Whelens.

                                                            Dick Maddux

                                                            Kitfox 4-1200

                                                            Rotax 912UL

                                                            Pensacola,Fl



 From Wall Street to Main Street and everywhere in between, stay up-to-date with the [url=http://aol.com?ncid=emlcntaolcom00000023 ]latest news[/url].

 <Kitfox 038.jpg>[b]

frank.hinde(at)hp.com
Guest

Posted: Tue Jan 27, 2009 9:53 am Post subject: Strobe Lights

Its my take that strobes do very little in tems of making  an aircraft visible..In fact I'm wondering why I fitted strobes to my second  airplane when I was convinced of this fact from my first  airplane.

  

 Now what does make an incredible difference is wig wagging  the landing lights..There is just something about that left-right pulsation that  really stands out..At least from the front.

  

 Frank

 Completely electrically dependant IFR RV7a..Including fuel  pumps



   From:  owner-aeroelectric-list-server(at)matronics.com  [mailto:owner-aeroelectric-list-server(at)matronics.com] On Behalf Of  MICHAEL LARKIN

Sent: Tuesday, January 27, 2009 8:40  AM

To: aeroelectric-list(at)matronics.com

Subject: Re:  Strobe Lights

 

 Dick,

 



 I to have switched out my Whelen strobe system for the Aveo.  I on the  other hand really like the system vs. the standard strobe setup.  First I  would say the important issue is visibility in flight not on the  ground.  

  [quote][b]

raymondj(at)frontiernet.n
Guest

Posted: Tue Jan 27, 2009 10:55 am Post subject: Strobe Lights

Does anyone have any experience with wig wagging strobes?  I am considering 

doing it on mine.



Raymond Julian

Kettle River, MN



"Hope for the best,

but prepare for the worst."



do not archive



---

nuckolls.bob(at)aeroelect
Guest

Posted: Tue Jan 27, 2009 10:55 am Post subject: Strobe Lights

At 08:39 AM 1/27/2009, you wrote:

 	  Quote: 	
		  Hi,

  I am new to this list as I decided to expand my  information input.

  In regards to The Aveo strobes,I have them on my Kitfox. The amp 

 load is very low and that is why I bought them. I removed my 

 Whelens and sold the set on EBAY. Now I wish I had them back. The 

 Aveo's work well but they are no where near as bright as the Whelens.


	


   I wouldn't loose much sleep over it. Strobes as an

   aid to collision avoidance is problematic. For EVERY

   close encounter with another airplane I was aware of,

   by the time I saw the  airplane the event was nearly over.

   Had I KNOWN that an airplane was approaching from a certain

   quadrant and was watching for it . . . the strobes might have

   helped me pick up the machine. However,(1) conditions

   were so hazy at the time that even if I had seen the

   airplane, I'm not sure I could have studied it long

   enough to decide whether it was at the same altitude

   or holding position on the windshield - i.e. collision

   course or (2) didn't see the airplane until right overhead

   or even passed my location and moving away. In the

   later cases, the airplane's approach was out of line of

   sight.



   The notion that "lives will be saved" by having

   n-times stronger strobe lights is a figment of

   a bureaucrat's imagination and fondest wishes.

   In the cases where the other airplane is looking

   right at you, a strobe of about ANY light output

   will be of some assistance. Without a doubt, wig-wagged

   landing lights are several orders of magnitude more

   attention getting but of course ONLY in the cone of

   visibility forward of your aircraft.

        Bob . . .



        ----------------------------------------)

        ( . . .  a long habit of not thinking   )

        ( a thing wrong, gives it a superficial )

        ( appearance of being right . . .       )

        (                                       )

        (                  -Thomas Paine 1776-  )

        ----------------------------------------

msausen

Joined: 25 Oct 2007
Posts: 559
Location: Appleton, WI USA

Posted: Tue Jan 27, 2009 1:09 pm Post subject: Strobe Lights

You had me for a second there.  



--

raymondj(at)frontiernet.n
Guest

Posted: Tue Jan 27, 2009 4:42 pm Post subject: Strobe Lights

Perhaps my ignorance is showing, but I am considering trying to have the 

wingtip strobes fire in sequence something like a wigwag pattern.   Maybe 

I'm lacking some piece of info that would put an end to my speculation.   I 

am a novice in the aviation electronics arena.  If there are things which 

prevent this please educate me, that's what I'm here for.



Raymond Julian

Kettle River, MN



"Hope for the best,

but prepare for the worst."



---

rlborger(at)mac.com
Guest

Posted: Tue Jan 27, 2009 6:19 pm Post subject: Strobe Lights

Raymond,



There's no technical reason to prevent you setting up strobes to  

alternate or flash in some time sequence.  If you are working with a  

commercial strobe system, some provide the ability to set the strobes  

to flash simultaneously or in sequence.



I'm not at the airport with my head in the opening that goes back  

behind the baggage bay where my Whelen strobe power-pack is located so  

this is from memory.  But, I think that the Whelen's can be set to  

flash alternately by the way you plug in the lines to the external  

strobe unit's sockets.



I just went to my on-line build diary and found a pic of the strobe  

power-pack.  If you go to the link in the signature block then click  

on the album for "Year #3, Q1 2004" and when it comes up, go to page  

2.  There, about 1/3 of the way down, is a pic of the power pack.  You  

can see that there is output for up to three strobes.   Output 1  

alternates with outputs 2 & 3 which are in synch.  First #1 flashes,  

then #2 & #3 flash together.  So, by powering one wing from #1 and the  

other wing from #2 or #3, you can get alternating flashes on your two  

wing units.  I guess you could be really cool and power a strobe on  

top of the fin with #1 and the wings with #2 & #3 for a 1 - 2 flash.



I hope this helps.



Check six,

Bob Borger

Europa Kit #A221 N914XL, XS Mono, Intercooled 914, Airmaster C/S

http://www.europaowners.org/N914XL

(99.999% done) Essentially complete.  Running Tests & Final Inspections.

3705 Lynchburg Dr.

Corinth, TX  76208

Home:  940-497-2123

Cel:  817-992-1117

On Jan 27, 2009, at 18:23, raymondj wrote:



[quote] 

 >



 Perhaps my ignorance is showing, but I am considering trying to have  

 the wingtip strobes fire in sequence something like a wigwag  

 pattern.   Maybe I'm lacking some piece of info that would put an  

 end to my speculation.   I am a novice in the aviation electronics  

 arena.  If there are things which prevent this please educate me,  

 that's what I'm here for.



 Raymond Julian

 Kettle River, MN



 "Hope for the best,

 but prepare for the worst."



 ---

Sam

Joined: 18 May 2008
Posts: 135

Posted: Tue Jan 27, 2009 7:25 pm Post subject: Strobe Lights

This one has all sorts of patterns, including Wig-Wag.

http://www.airplanegear.com/skybright.htm



Sam



On Tue, Jan 27, 2009 at 6:23 PM, raymondj <raymondj(at)frontiernet.net (raymondj(at)frontiernet.net)> wrote:

 [quote]--> AeroElectric-List message posted by: "raymondj" <raymondj(at)frontiernet.net (raymondj(at)frontiernet.net)>

  



 Perhaps my ignorance is showing, but I am considering trying to have the wingtip strobes fire in sequence something like a wigwag pattern.   Maybe I'm lacking some piece of info that would put an end to my speculation.   I am a novice in the aviation electronics arena.  If there are things which prevent this please educate me, that's what I'm here for. 

 

 Raymond Julian

 Kettle River, MN

 

 "Hope for the best,

 but prepare for the worst."

 



 ---

_________________
Sam Hoskins
www.samhoskins.blogspot.com

nuckolls.bob(at)aeroelect
Guest

Posted: Tue Jan 27, 2009 7:40 pm Post subject: Strobe Lights

At 06:23 PM 1/27/2009, you wrote:

 	  Quote: 	
		  



Perhaps my ignorance is showing, but I am considering trying to have 

the wingtip strobes fire in sequence something like a wigwag 

pattern.   Maybe I'm lacking some piece of info that would put an 

end to my speculation.   I am a novice in the aviation electronics 

arena.  If there are things which prevent this please educate me, 

that's what I'm here for.



Raymond Julian

Kettle River, MN


	


  Assuming that your strobes feature an external trigger mode,

  what you've proposed can be done . . . and I might add that

  it seems practical.



  You would need to understand how the strobes talk to each

  other for the purpose of making them flash together. Then

  you need a "black box" that generates alternating strobe

  pulses to achieve the "wig wag" appearance.

        Bob . . .



        ----------------------------------------)

        ( . . .  a long habit of not thinking   )

        ( a thing wrong, gives it a superficial )

        ( appearance of being right . . .       )

        (                                       )

        (                  -Thomas Paine 1776-  )

        ----------------------------------------

Dick Maddux

Joined: 24 Jun 2008
Posts: 516
Location: Milton, Fl

Posted: Wed Jan 28, 2009 4:20 am Post subject: Strobe Lights

Mike ,

  I totally agree with you in regard to the Aveo strobes. They are very light,compact,no power pack,and very low amp draw which I needed for my Rotax. Max continuous is supposed to be around 14 amps so I am trying to keep the strobe draw low as I have other equipment (all low draw). I just wish the Aveos were a little brighter. I ask the guys on the ground if they see them and they pretty much say no. I am going to keep them though.

  I am looking into the new Kentzleman (sp) landing,taxi, recognition light. It is supposed to be 2 1/2 times brighter than a 55 watt halogen headlight and draws less than 1 1/2 amps ! Put a flasher on it (auto store) and you would look like Southwest with their flashing landing lights! The thing is only 3" x 1" It too uses high power LED's. Anybody have one? It's an expensive item (about $230 (at) Spruce)

   I installed a Monroy 300 in the panel of my Kitfox for traffic alert. Now that little jewel works great and in this high traffic area it is handy to have! We have a large number of T-34C's and helo traffic from the Navy.

                                                    Dick Maddux

                                                    Kitfox 4-1200

                                                    Rotax 912UL

                                                    Pensacola,Fl

 From Wall Street to Main Street and everywhere in between, stay up-to-date with the [url=http://aol.com?ncid=emlcntaolcom00000023 ]latest news[/url].

  [quote][b]

dennis.glaeser(at)eds.com
Guest

Posted: Wed Jan 28, 2009 6:50 am Post subject: Strobe Lights

My strobe power pack (from strobesnmore.com) has numerous flashing

patterns: which ones (by plug location) flash in unison or

alternatively, as well as single, double or quad flashes.



Dennis Glaeser

RV7A



 	  Quote: 	
		  Perhaps my ignorance is showing, but I am considering trying to have 

the wingtip strobes fire in sequence something like a wigwag 

pattern. Maybe I'm lacking some piece of info that would put an 

end to my speculation. I am a novice in the aviation electronics 

arena. If there are things which prevent this please educate me, 

that's what I'm here for. 

 >Raymond Julian >Kettle River, MN

mlas(at)cox.net
Guest

Posted: Wed Jan 28, 2009 7:49 am Post subject: Strobe Lights

Raymond,



Both the Aveo and Whelen system offer alternate synced strobe flashing.



Mike

On Jan 27, 2009, at 5:23 PM, raymondj wrote:



 	  Quote: 	
		   

 >



 Perhaps my ignorance is showing, but I am considering trying to have  

 the wingtip strobes fire in sequence something like a wigwag  

 pattern.   Maybe I'm lacking some piece of info that would put an  

 end to my speculation.   I am a novice in the aviation electronics  

 arena.  If there are things which prevent this please educate me,  

 that's what I'm here for.



 Raymond Julian

 Kettle River, MN



 "Hope for the best,

 but prepare for the worst."

mikefapex

Joined: 05 Jul 2007
Posts: 70
Location: Colorado

Posted: Wed Jan 28, 2009 8:21 am Post subject: Re: Strobe Lights

I have a single AeroSun mounted as a nose light on my trike.



http://www.aircraftspruce.com/catalog/elpages/aeroSunXtreme.php



Very bright, built in wig-wag, low amp draw.  



Mike

mprather(at)spro.net
Guest

Posted: Wed Jan 28, 2009 1:46 pm Post subject: Strobe Lights

I'd guess that the strobe visibility problem is due to the relatively

short "on" time compared to the "off" time.  Does anyone know if this is

true?  The rest of this message assumes it is..  



I also suspect that strobes aren't terribly efficient at turning watts to

lumens in terms of total power consumed...  Doing a little research seems

to support that:



http://www.birket.com/strobes/Library/Photometry%20of%20Strobes.htm



Strobes may seem efficient because they provide very bright light for not

too many continuous watts, but since they're "on" time is so short, they

aren't very good.



It's interesting that the FAA approves of the change from the old rotating

or flashing incandescent light to strobes.  I suspect a study of relative

conspicuity might find that strobes (as installed) are in many ways

inferior to the old style of lights.  At best, I find that strobes make me

aware of the presence of another airplane (or cell phone tower), but it

often takes me a moment of searching around to actually figure out where

the flash was coming from.  I also think strobes often distract me from

identifying what the object they're mounted to actually is.  I don't know

if this is a common experience...



I have found (and I think there are studies that show) that lighting

systems designed to attract attention should never be completely dark

while the system is operating.  This is true for traffic signals.  A

single flashing light is much harder to see than two flashing lights

wig-wagging, even if they are spaced relatively close to each other.  In

normal vision, our eyes are constantly moving, using our fovea (the hi-res

portion of the retina) to paint a picture in our visual cortex (part of

our mind) of our surroundings.  It's hard to see strobes because the "on"

time is so short that while the eye may become aware of the strobe's flash

because of the image showing up away from the fovea, the short "on" time

makes it difficult for the eye/head to get the fovea on target very soon.



I believe it's true that good alert lighting employs our vision system's

motion sensing capability (away from the fovea), but such a system is

easier to see also because there's essentially no "off" time.



Where I'm going with is that when I go shopping for anti-collision

lighting, I won't be looking at strobes.  Instead I'll want some system

that might look to the eye more like the old incandescent lights, except

brighter, cooler running, and more reliable.  LED's are the obvious source

of illumination, especially today with their remarkable efficiency.



I like the wig-wags on the front of the airplane - even incandescent, but

wonder if there's anything in the FAR's about additional lighting that

might be used.  I know that they have a very specific description of the

required output of the navigation lights, and I'm not proposing to replace

those..  I'd like to add flashing wingtip and tail lights, mounted where

strobes often are, but setup to run such that while one light is off,

another one is always on.  Viewed from ahead of the wingtip, the

wigwagging lights are visible, plus the flashing light on the near

wingtip.  From aft of the wingtip, the wingtip light is still visible,

plus the tail light.  In no case does the airplane present a view of just

one light flashing on and off.



I also know that the nav lights are allowed to flash (or were - my early

182's lights do that).  I'd likely disable that feature if I installed LED

anti-collision lights.  I see that some aircraft light companies (Aveo)

are appearing to mimic the strobe behavior using LED technology, but using

quite short "on" time.  I propose that this might not be the highest

performance way of operating them.



Back to work.

Regards,



Matt-



 	  Quote: 	
		   

 <nuckolls.bob(at)aeroelectric.com>



 At 08:39 AM 1/27/2009, you wrote:

>Hi,

>  I am new to this list as I decided to expand my  information input.

>  In regards to The Aveo strobes,I have them on my Kitfox. The amp

> load is very low and that is why I bought them. I removed my

> Whelens and sold the set on EBAY. Now I wish I had them back. The

> Aveo's work well but they are no where near as bright as the Whelens.



    I wouldn't loose much sleep over it. Strobes as an

    aid to collision avoidance is problematic. For EVERY

    close encounter with another airplane I was aware of,

    by the time I saw the  airplane the event was nearly over.

    Had I KNOWN that an airplane was approaching from a certain

    quadrant and was watching for it . . . the strobes might have

    helped me pick up the machine. However,(1) conditions

    were so hazy at the time that even if I had seen the

    airplane, I'm not sure I could have studied it long

    enough to decide whether it was at the same altitude

    or holding position on the windshield - i.e. collision

    course or (2) didn't see the airplane until right overhead

    or even passed my location and moving away. In the

    later cases, the airplane's approach was out of line of

    sight.



    The notion that "lives will be saved" by having

    n-times stronger strobe lights is a figment of

    a bureaucrat's imagination and fondest wishes.

    In the cases where the other airplane is looking

    right at you, a strobe of about ANY light output

    will be of some assistance. Without a doubt, wig-wagged

    landing lights are several orders of magnitude more

    attention getting but of course ONLY in the cone of

    visibility forward of your aircraft.

         Bob . . .



         ----------------------------------------)

         ( . . .  a long habit of not thinking   )

         ( a thing wrong, gives it a superficial )

         ( appearance of being right . . .       )

         (                                       )

         (                  -Thomas Paine 1776-  )

         ----------------------------------------

BobsV35B(at)aol.com
Guest

Posted: Wed Jan 28, 2009 4:37 pm Post subject: Strobe Lights

Good Evening Matt,

  

 I totally agree with your analysis of the strobe light conspicuity. 

  

 I think a white rotating beacon would probably be better than a red  one

  

 I do NOT care for strobes for just the reasons you note!

  

 Another comment if I may?. 

  

 I have not checked the regulations, but my memory thinks that the approval  to use flashing running lights has been rescinded. 

  

 As I am sure you are aware, airliners and many corporate aircraft of the  late forties and early fifties were equipped with an alternating system whereby  the running lights were not flashing, but they did alternate between on and off.  If my memory serves me correctly, the on portion was fairly long and the off  portion was relatively short. I think a sailor may have called it an occulting  light. There were also white lights mounted on top and bottom of the airplane.  When the running lights were off, the white lights were on and vice versa.

  

 That system was dropped when rotating beacons came into use.

  

 Many light planes adopted a flasher that just flashed the position lights  without having any white light on while the running lights were off. My  recollection is that the FARs now require steady running lights.

  

 Since the primary use of running lights is so we may discern the direction  of flight, I think they should always be steady lights.

  

 Whadda Ya Think?

  

 Happy  Skies



Old Bob

AKA

Bob Siegfried

Ancient Aviator

628 West 86th  Street

Downers Grove, IL 60516

630 985-8502 

Stearman  N3977A

Brookeridge Air Park LL22   

  In a message dated 1/28/2009 3:57:01 P.M. Central Standard Time,  mprather(at)spro.net writes:

  	  Quote: 	
		  I also    know that the nav lights are allowed to flash (or were - my early

182's    lights do that).  I'd likely disable that feature if I installed    LED

anti-collision lights.  I see that some aircraft light companies    (Aveo)

are appearing to mimic the strobe behavior using LED technology, but    using

quite short "on" time.  I propose that this might not be the    highest

performance way of operating  them.

	




 A Good Credit Score is 700 or Above.  See yours in just 2 easy steps!

  [quote][b]

raymondj(at)frontiernet.n
Guest

Posted: Wed Jan 28, 2009 5:32 pm Post subject: Strobe Lights

Matt,



    You've anticipated my nest question.  I am considering the wig-wag 

strobes to increase the likelihood that I will be seen from behind.  My 

aircraft will be low and slow and feel especially vulnerable to being run 

down from behind because I must depend on the other pilot to see and avoid 

me.  I would consider any reasonable system which would increase my 

visibility from the rear.

    Thanks to all who wrote in this topic.  I'll be keeping my eye out as 

new systems as LED technology evolves.  How about LED "strobes" wigwagged at 

the appropriate frequency?



Raymond Julian

Kettle River, MN



"Hope for the best,

but prepare for the worst."



do not archive

---

Kellym

Joined: 10 Jan 2006
Posts: 1705
Location: Sun Lakes AZ

Posted: Wed Jan 28, 2009 7:27 pm Post subject: Strobe Lights

I don't know Bob. I had a Cessna 170B for years that came with a nav 

light flasher, which had an AD on it. Compliance was to either remove 

the flasher, or install a two position switch to allow full on or 

flashing. Don't believe the AD ever changed.



BobsV35B(at)aol.com wrote:

 	  Quote: 	
		   Good Evening Matt,

  

 I totally agree with your analysis of the strobe light conspicuity.

  

 I think a white rotating beacon would probably be better than a red one

  

 I do NOT care for strobes for just the reasons you note!

  

 Another comment if I may?.

  

 I have not checked the regulations, but my memory thinks that the 

 approval to use flashing running lights has been rescinded.

  

 As I am sure you are aware, airliners and many corporate aircraft of the 

 late forties and early fifties were equipped with an alternating system 

 whereby the running lights were not flashing, but they did alternate 

 between on and off. If my memory serves me correctly, the on portion was 

 fairly long and the off portion was relatively short. I think a sailor 

 may have called it an occulting light. There were also white lights 

 mounted on top and bottom of the airplane. When the running lights were 

 off, the white lights were on and vice versa.

  

 That system was dropped when rotating beacons came into use.

  

 Many light planes adopted a flasher that just flashed the position 

 lights without having any white light on while the running lights were 

 off. My recollection is that the FARs now require steady running lights.

  

 Since the primary use of running lights is so we may discern the 

 direction of flight, I think they should always be steady lights.

  

 Whadda Ya Think?

  

 Happy Skies

 

 Old Bob

 AKA

 Bob Siegfried

 Ancient Aviator

 628 West 86th Street

 Downers Grove, IL 60516

 630 985-8502

 Stearman N3977A

 Brookeridge Air Park LL22

  

 In a message dated 1/28/2009 3:57:01 P.M. Central Standard Time, 

 mprather(at)spro.net writes:

 

     I also know that the nav lights are allowed to flash (or were - my early

     182's lights do that).  I'd likely disable that feature if I

     installed LED

     anti-collision lights.  I see that some aircraft light companies (Aveo)

     are appearing to mimic the strobe behavior using LED technology, but

     using

     quite short "on" time.  I propose that this might not be the highest

     performance way of operating them.

 

 

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Kelly McMullen
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