uAvionics Tailbeacon install on J

[EricJ]

16 minutes ago, MikeOH said:

I agree, for me it was an elegant solution with the lowest possible cost. As you say, no big deal to leave the nav lights on.

However, I'm going to disagree with you on the need for 360 degree coverage; your cite of 12.1401 contains what I believe to be the pertinent requirement buried in subparagraph (b): "The field of coverage must extend in each direction...". To me, 'each direction' pretty clearly means 'all the way around the aircraft'. This is also consistent with the Whelen info I posted above: "An approved anti-collision strobe light system must project light 360 degrees around the aircraft's vertical axis. One or more strobe lights may be used". Seems pretty clear to me, but I'm no Aviation Lawyer, either

I think the way the OEM and the aftermarket strobes for the flush wingtips work, you only need the wingtip strobes, since they're visible essentially 360 degrees around the airplane.   Or at least they met whatever requirements were in place in the 70s when they were building Mooneys with just tip strobes and no rotating beacon.    With the swoopy wingtips a tail strobe would cover the rear direction since the tips couldn't be seen.

[MikeOH]

4 minutes ago, EricJ said:

I think the way the OEM and the aftermarket strobes for the flush wingtips work, you only need the wingtip strobes, since they're visible essentially 360 degrees around the airplane.   Or at least they met whatever requirements were in place in the 70s when they were building Mooneys with just tip strobes and no rotating beacon.    With the swoopy wingtips a tail strobe would cover the rear direction since the tips couldn't be seen.

No argument from me.  If you have 360 degree coverage it doesn't matter if the wingtip strobes are flush, or not.

[Rsmithref]

No rotating beacon switch in mine.  I really appreciate all of the posts and all of the knowledge I’ve gained on this.  I guess I’ll start looking for a GDL 82 or 88.  Doesn’t seem to be as quick and easy, but the next best thing.