What's the best strobe flash pattern?

[Max Clark]

I'm looking at changing my nav lights, recog, and strobes to LED while the plane is down for panel work.

The question came up of what flash pattern I would want - and I have no idea, I've never thought about this as a choice, just what's already in the plane I was flying.

I asked ChatGPT for info, but don't know what to do.

What do you prefer?

 

1. Synchronized Strobes

• Pros:

• Looks cleaner and more uniform.

• Can be less distracting to you as the pilot when looking at the wings.

• Often preferred for night flying since it creates a predictable pattern for other pilots.

• Cons:

• Less attention-grabbing compared to wig-wag or random patterns.

Best For: Night flying, where you want a more predictable visual signal for other pilots.

 

2. Wig-Wag (Alternating Flash)

• Pros:

• Increases visibility because alternating flashes attract attention.

• Particularly useful in congested airspace and during daylight, making your aircraft more noticeable.

• Cons:

• Slightly more distracting to the pilot, especially if mounted on the wingtips.

• Not as sleek or “clean” looking as synchronized strobes.

Best For: Daytime flying or flying in high-traffic areas where you want to stand out more.

 

3. Random Flash Pattern

• Pros:

• Creates a unique light signature, making your aircraft more distinguishable.

• Can enhance visibility and attract attention in both day and night operations.

• Cons:

• Some find random patterns chaotic or less professional.

• May be harder to manage in some installations and could slightly affect the aircraft’s aesthetic appearance.

Best For: If you want maximum attention from other aircraft, especially in environments where distinguishing your plane from others quickly is essential.

 

Recommendation:

• If your primary concern is visibility during the day, go for wig-wag since alternating flashes are more noticeable.

• If you prioritize aesthetics and predictable signals, go for synchronized strobes, particularly if you fly more at night.

• Random patterns are great if you’re looking for maximum visibility in both conditions but don’t mind a bit of randomness.

 

Many pilots opt for wig-wag during the day and switch to synchronized strobes at night if their system supports both modes. This gives the best of both worlds.

[Pinecone]

Studies show that random is better.  But I think synchronized looks better and that it what I did.

I have the wingtip recog lights and they are set to wig wag with the landing light.  

[Slick Nick]

My factory Whelen strobes flash three times between each break. 

[Mooney in Oz]

I have synchronised LEDs, but it’s a personal choice. Back in the day, which wasn’t that long ago there was no choice.

[PT20J]

You are way overthinking this 

[Max Clark]

1 hour ago, PT20J said:

You are way overthinking this 

Yep but it’s a question I have to answer

I guess I could just play parts roulette instead

[MB65E]

To the OP, was that the way that chat responds and it was a cut and paste? 
I have a co-worker that types like this. 
He’ll take an email and completely re-write it. Sounds like a lot of work to me but I bet he uses GPT now that I’ve seen the format. 
-Matt 

[201er]

Mine is random. Right wing does the normal single synchronized strobe and the left does triples. But it’s not out of a carefully considered choice relying on the most advanced artificial technology, it’s out of being cheap and replacing only the one that was broken! 

[ArtVandelay]

I have 3 and they’re random…it a sparkling pattern.

[Max Clark]

42 minutes ago, MB65E said:

To the OP, was that the way that chat responds and it was a cut and paste? 
I have a co-worker that types like this. 
He’ll take an email and completely re-write it. Sounds like a lot of work to me but I bet he uses GPT now that I’ve seen the format. 
-Matt 

Yes it was

[Will.iam]

Mine is random because i was cheap and didn’t pay for an extra wire to install to synchronize the strobes. 

[PT20J]

See if you can get them to flash ... --- ...

[donkaye]

My strobes have one choice; synchronized.  My pulse lights alternate: left taxi/right recognition then right taxi/ left recognition.

https://youtu.be/sw6ZScJkmmI

[cliffy]

I like the double flash synchronized at night the best.  

[gevertex]

Is there a cost difference? IIRC you need a sync wire for synchronized. Maybe for wigwag too?

[Pinecone]

Yes, you need a sync wire to make them do anything that requires them to be synched in some way.  They have to have some way to tell each other what to do when.