PiRep -LED wingtip landing lights

[Bennett]

Previously I posted photos of my wingtip LED replacement navigation and strobe lights by AVEO, as installed by SkyView Aviation in Tracy, California.  These worked out so well that I decided to also replace the recognition lights with LEDs. I was always concerned about these recognition lights, as they can melt the plasic lenses if kept on too long while on the ground, and the wingtip plasic lenses are very expensive - over $200 each for replacements. More importantly, I want to be seen in the airport environment, and in the very restrictive corridors under and above Class B and C airspace in the San Francisco and Los Angeles areas, not to mention haze, smog, and smoke, where I keep lights on all the time. I found that AVEO also now manufactures small LED Landing lights. By removing the recognition lights and housings, we (SkyView Aviation and I) found that there was just enough room to use these small diameter landing lights, and still keep the new LED navigation and strobe lights. As you can see in the photos, we have used mirrored plastic on the sides and ends of the mountings to further reflect light.  We also added a rotary switch in the panel area to allow for both on, both off, alternate- fast or slow, or pulsing together - fast and slow. With LoPresiti's boom box HID landing light in the cowling, I guarantee that the airplane can be seen from an appreciable distance. A representative from the local  FISDO physically inspected the installation, and approved the 337 form submitted. 

I'll post a couple of nighttime photos on my gallery at a later date.

[David Mazer]

Very cool indeed.  What did the total process set you back?

[Oscar Avalle]

Really great. Thanks for sharing the information about the 337.

Oscar

[Seth]

Bennett-

Again, really like your setup.  When/If I have lights burn out, I'll look at the cost to have simlar wintips created.  What is the visibility like with just the wingtip landing lights at night and not using your HID boom beam?

-Seth

[Bennett]

Seth,

Good question.  I haven't tried just using the wingtip landing lights for landings at night. I've tested them on the ground, and they appear to be bright enough to land with - you don't want to stare at these lights when they are "0n", and not alternating. In the next few weeks I might play with them as the sole landing lights. The boom beam has such a long life that I really don't think of these landing lights as "landing lights". To me they are a very bright substitute for recognition lights, and I just keep them on on all flights in an alternating mode. Although I am Instrument rated, I fly a lot of VFR in tight airspace (San Francisco, San Jose, and Los Angeles), generally avoiding the hassle of trying to get cleared into Class B airspace, and I want to be seen.  This setup is a great aid for that.

[Seth]

Bennett-

I'm planning to make a trip to the west coast next year and am thinking about stopping in Tracy, CA, to have my wingtips modified to mirror yours. Any further pireps? Any problems? Also, how many days did the install take?

-Seth

[Bennett]

Seth,

Craig Vincent was the gentleman at SkyView Aviation (Tracy Airport) Tracy Airport that ran the project for me. As I understand it, he has left SkyView to establish his own sales and service company at Stockton Airport. I do not have the details yet, but as soon as I do, I will post the information if you want to contact him. He was instrumental in obtaining the 337 form approval, and worked with the FISDO's inspector, who actually came out to see the installation.

PIREPS: Everything is working perfectly, and everyone I have spoken to that has seen the setup in use has commented favorably. These lights are BRIGHT, and I leave the LED wingtip strobes, navigation lights, and recognition/landing lights on on all flights. I add the LoPresti HID Boom Light when in haze, or when in the vicinity of airports. The total electrical draw is minimal.

Since all the mounting decisions have already been worked out, I would think that the work could be done in two days, once the lights and plastic mounting block were received by the installer. I chose to add "mirrored" plastic to the rear and side bulkheads to add reflectability. This plastic is available at TAP plastics in California, and I would think it not difficult to find. I left the scrap (probably big enough) for another installation.

[Bennett]

I called Craig, and he will be making a formal announcement of his new firm in about a week. Yes, he would be interested in doing a LED wingtip light installation for you, and as I mentioned, I will will send you the contact information when the announcement is made. He is a good man to work with.

[rbridges]

man, I love those. I have 201 wingtips on my C model. Could you post or PM me the ballpark cost of parts/installation. I'd like to see if my local MSC could do that for mine.

[NotarPilot]

Me too please. I would be interested to know as well.