Landing light(s)

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Cloud Warrior
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Landing light(s)

Postby Cloud Warrior » Tue Oct 16, 2007 2:47 pm

I have been tinkering with the idea of fitting two landing lights (bicycle type LED lights) to the bar as opposed to the standard position in front of the nose wheel - anybody got ideas/suggestions/concerns wrt that arrangement? My current landing light seems to draw a moerse amount of current from my battery so I want to get rid of it.
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Solowings Aquilla
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Cloud Warrior
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Postby Cloud Warrior » Wed Oct 17, 2007 2:09 am

Thanks Demon

I want the lights for two reasons:

a) visibility on approach
b) in case I get caught out one evening

The new generation LED & halogen lights would appear to have really good output - see pic below.

I don't think my current light produces that much light!
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Solowings Aquilla
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Postby diver » Wed Oct 17, 2007 9:09 am

Cloud Warrior wrote: b) in case I get caught out one evening

I don't think my current light produces that much light!
Just a thought, are you also making a plan to fit nav lights as they are also required for night flying. Another thought, is night flying permitted on your aircraft type. My concern is what would I do if the engine quit at night - smack into something very hard maybe?

Rather don't do this night flying thing guys.
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Cloud Warrior
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Postby Cloud Warrior » Wed Oct 17, 2007 12:03 pm

Who said anything about flying at night? All I want is a bit more light if I come into land during the latter part of the half hour after sunset.

I am fully aware that a microlight may not fly at night (defined as ½ hour after sunset to ½ hour before sunrise).

Just a thought - engage brain before typing on keyboard!
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Postby Duck Rogers » Wed Oct 17, 2007 9:52 pm

diver wrote:.........My concern is what would I do if the engine quit at night - smack into something very hard maybe? .........
If the engine quits, switch on the light to look for a landing spot. If you don't like what you see, switch it off again :roll: :roll:
Airspeed, altitude, or brains....you always need at least two
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Postby Mogas » Wed Oct 17, 2007 10:00 pm

:lol:
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duck

Postby allcylinders » Wed Oct 17, 2007 10:10 pm

I'll go with what the Duck says..... :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol:
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Postby Hot Stuff » Thu Nov 15, 2007 1:56 pm

Duck, you QUACK me up sometimes
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Postby ICEMAN » Thu Nov 15, 2007 2:13 pm

Duck......... you never say much, but when you do......... its well worth the wait (!!)
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Postby RV4ker (RIP) » Thu Nov 15, 2007 2:21 pm

Anyone know why trikes are not allowed to fly an night? If you look at the reg's no additional intruments are required simply strobes and dual filament landing light. :?: :?:
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Postby Ian » Thu Nov 15, 2007 7:47 pm

Duck Rogers wrote:If the engine quits, switch on the light to look for a landing spot. If you don't like what you see, switch it off again :roll: :roll:
And I guess you put your head .... your legs .... and :D
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Postby Tailspin » Fri Nov 16, 2007 7:42 am

Ian wrote:
Duck Rogers wrote:If the engine quits, switch on the light to look for a landing spot. If you don't like what you see, switch it off again :roll: :roll:
And I guess you put your head .... your legs .... and :D
Actually Ian you do that before to take off :!: :twisted: (**)
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Postby DieselFan » Fri Nov 16, 2007 8:35 am

RV4ker wrote:Anyone know why trikes are not allowed to fly an night? If you look at the reg's no additional intruments are required simply strobes and dual filament landing light. :?: :?:
Have a look and Windsandwings.com. They got a nice video of night trike flight.
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Postby Barnstormer » Wed Nov 28, 2007 5:48 pm

Cloud Warrior

Pls enlighten me regarding which specific light you intend to use?

How much is it and where to obtain?

What are the blue thingy for, switch? And the black? Power?

Thx!
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Lights

Postby ZULU1 » Wed Nov 28, 2007 10:35 pm

Watching this thread, I have a colleague that has been working with a small downlight company in Pietermaritzburg.
Technology in LEDS has grown drastically in the last few years. They manufacture an incredible 12 volt lighting system that draws almost no power with some serious lumens from these devices. They are all SMD so could make a really good "front light/landing light" on a pc board. Lighting is not my game but I will sniff it out as you could technically mount a low current draw floodlight on the front. Maybe some forum members have some further info. The attached pic on a bicycle looks like a similar device. Maybe this technology would also render a strobe useless as you could mount these toys permanently on. Interesting subject..we could learn more here.

eish Zulu1
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