Panel lighting.

[Lood]

I'm planning on doing my night rating this year and I would like to upgrade the current, ex '67 setup in my F to something more technological advanced and modern.

I've had a look on Spruce and see that there are quite a few makes and options available. I like the bezel type lights which illuminates each instrument on it own, at 360 deg.

I would appreciate any feedback and advice on this.

[carusoam]

I installed a couple LED post lights in places that already had the incandescent bulbs. They were functional more than good looking...

Easy to install, throw a lot of light. I think they were still dimable with other bulbs remaining in the loop. (use caution here)

Still didn't improve my comfort with night flight, though...

Best regards,

-a-

[Lood]

Thanks Carusoam,

 

I agree with you on your outlook towards night flying and believe it or not, I also don't have any intention of flying my Mooney at night. Ever since I've finished my PPL, I've always wanted to do the night rating, just to get the extra experience and the minor exposure to instrument flying.

If I like it, I might consider doing an IF rating, but like night flying, I have even less intention to fly in hard IMC - strange, but true.

[scottfromiowa]

Nu-Lites work great, don't change appearance much. Easy to install. Dimmer switch for six pak is a minimal expense.

[Skywarrior]

'Night' rating?

[carusoam]

Definitely get the ratings...

"I may be uncomfortable, but capable". Was my way to look at it.

My fear, of course, engine failure and what to land on...

Mooney flying Xcountry will makes flights take chances with regards to timing and weather.

So my response to all this. Fly high, have lots of lights, and fly in the system.

The single landing bulb on the nose is not much of a confidence builder.

The O has two landing lights, two taxi lights and two other lights that are there to primarily melt expensive lenses and be seen (their name escapes me).

The first IFR flight with a landing shortly after dark with the instrument panel gently lit is memorable!

New Orleans also has a pretty big water front airport to make it that much nicer...

Best regards,

-a-

[carusoam]

Chuck,

In the US it's "privileges". Part of the PP rating can be skipped (I believe, or it used to be). But, not demonstrating flying skills at night will keep you from being able to do so until being trained. Keeping night current is similar but different than initial training.

Lood is from the non-US part of the world...

Best regards,

-a-

[carusoam]

Nu-lights look much better as well...

-a-

[Schinderhannes]

http://www.aircraftspruce.com/pages/in/instrumentlighting/glowstrips.php

 

We installed the glow strips under the glareshield.  This is a fairly somple installed looks sharp and iluminates the entire panel. 

[laytonl]

I haven't used this, but I've heard others say it works great. Not approved, but the price is right and not much lost if you have to yank it out. Lee

http://www.1000bulbs.com/category/12-inch-segments-of-standard-tape-light-led/

[Lood]

Thanks to all for your replies.

 

With a normal PPL, here, in South Africa, you are not allowed to fly, 15 minutes before and after sunset and sunrise, without having a valid and current night rating. The rating itself consists of a theoretical exam, mostly about air law and 10 hours of instrument flying, of which 5 hours may be done on an approved simulator.

The check ride consists of a 150nm cross country flight, at night, together with 3 full stop landings at 3 different airports. If you pass all those, you get the rating and are entitled to fly VFR at night.

I still have to read up on the currency part of the rating, but I do know that you are not allowed to carry any passengers on a night flight if you have not completed at least 3 night landings during the 3 months preceding your intended flight.

[Hank]

I have Nulites on most of my instruments. Something that helps is the Ashlight, sold by Spruce, which has several red LEDs and replaces the ashtray. Runs on two AAA batteries, and I get at least two years from a set. It helps with my unlit instruments, and sheds enough light to take notes on my kneeboard.

[PTK]

I looked at these lights a while ago. I recall there was an issue of clearance. They would not fit on adjacent instruments.

I don't recall which ones. I think it may have been the Nulites but not sure.

On a separate fit issue, I do remember reading in the Nulites instructions that it may be necessary to drill or cut them to make them fit around instruments and make holes match or something along those lines. But once you do this the warranty is void!

That sounded odd. They tell you to alter them because they may not fit but sorry you can't return them if they don't! Why not make them fit to begin with?

UMA also makes lighted bezels.

http://www.umainstruments.com

[N601RX]

I put NuLights in a couiple of years ago when I redone my panel.  I spaced the instruments so they would fit when laying out the panel.  If the instruments will not fit, the nulights can be trimmed on the sides.  If you trim them, you will have to repaint the area trimmed so it will still reflect light.  They work very well, I usually turn the dimmer about 1/2 way down to get the desired brightness. If you order them be sure to get the correct one for each instrument. If I remember correctly they have pain, left cutout for knob, right cutout for knob.

[mike_elliott]

Thanks Carusoam,

 

I agree with you on your outlook towards night flying and believe it or not, I also don't have any intention of flying my Mooney at night. Ever since I've finished my PPL, I've always wanted to do the night rating, just to get the extra experience and the minor exposure to instrument flying.

If I like it, I might consider doing an IF rating, but like night flying, I have even less intention to fly in hard IMC - strange, but true.

 

You might consider getting your IR for other reasons, I.E. it makes you a much better pilot, lowers your insurance premiums, and gives you greater mission utility. Besides being difficult to do, it is also a fun rating IMHO, and you most certainly will be a safer pilot with improved judgment skills to boot.

[Hank]

Thanks Carusoam,

 

I agree with you on your outlook towards night flying and believe it or not, I also don't have any intention of flying my Mooney at night. Ever since I've finished my PPL, I've always wanted to do the night rating, just to get the extra experience and the minor exposure to instrument flying.

If I like it, I might consider doing an IF rating, but like night flying, I have even less intention to fly in hard IMC - strange, but true.

You will find flying at night to be beautiful and peaceful. Weather systems wear out, winds calm down and the radio is quieter as fewer people fly at night. Go over a large city and admire the lights, or see the countryside by moonlight, often in pretty smooth air. It's wonderful!

While the same cannot be said about all Instrument flying, the training and education will make you a better, more precise flyer. And it sure is nice to take off and in just a couple of minutes leave the dreary world behind and fly in bright sunshine above the clouds. You will be trained and capable of flying in as hard of IMC as you want, although many only fly light IMC or climb/descend through a layer that may be a few thousand feet thick or less.

Either way, the training and additional experience will be good for you. Enjoy the process.

[Lood]

I have actually considered getting my IF, but here in SA, getting your PPL IF is just about the same as going for your CPL. This put off quite a few PPL's and the general feeling is that one might just as well do the CPL.

That is about to change, however and apparently, there's a new syllabus, specifically tailored for the PPL IF, coming this year. I'll certainly have a look at that when it has been launched.

I'd love to get the IF rating, but have no use for a CPL.

[Hank]

I understand. I also have no use for a CPL, but that doesn't stop people from suggesting that I get one anyway.

[mike_elliott]

I understand. I also have no use for a CPL, but that doesn't stop people from suggesting that I get one anyway.

 

Hank I had no use for a CPL when I got it either. Now I do, but that's beside the point. I went ahead with it because it was about as much fun as you can have without taking your clothes off.