Rotating Beacon

[Pearson]

Do those of you with skylights get light from your rotating beacon in your cockpit? Any suggestions on a light weight economical choice for the beacon.

[Steve Green]

Re: Rotating Beacon

While you are at it, has anyone used LED beacons or strobe lights? Found any that are not too expensive?

[FAT KID]

Re: Rotating Beacon

Beacon+Tcraft = WTF!

Its kind of like crying and baseball. The two just shouldn't go together.

All kidding a side i don't think it will be an issue. A lot of Supercubs up here with green house glass down the tail and i have never heard any of those owners complain about beacon light bothering them.

[magman]

Re: Rotating Beacon

Cessna ( can I say that? ) uses a strip of alum outside the lens to mask

the window area.

I've obtained Field Approvals for Univairs FS 4400 Flight Strobe.

No T's yet though.

[NY86]

Re: Rotating Beacon

Check out AC43.13-2b, Chapter 4. All this stuff, including masking the light, is covered. Install one IAW this chapter. It is approved data for Taylorcraft.

[flyguy]

Re: Rotating Beacon

Previous owner of my 12-85 tried to make an airliner out of it. One of the items he installed was a strobe above the cockpit. As far as I am concerned the only purpose it serves is to mess up the air flow over the fuselage and add weight.

Like chopping firewood with a samurai sword. He should have bought a 172. Chuckle.

DC

[Pearson]

Re: Rotating Beacon

Thanks for the replies! I'm not trying to make an airliner out of this thing. I just want to be able to gt back to my home field during the winter months when it gets dark at 4:30 in the afternoon.

Besides the Univairs FS 4400 Flight Strobe does anyone have any other model numbers they have used? Also does anyone have mounting drawings of other installations? I have the copy of the one in the resources section of the website.

[flyguy]

Re: Rotating Beacon

Is there some new legal requirement for a strobe in certain airspace as opposed to just navigation lights?
Darryl

[NY86]

Re: Rotating Beacon

Is there some new legal requirement for a strobe in certain airspace as opposed to just navigation lights?
Darryl

It's not that new and it has nothing to do with airspace.

If you are flying a US registered aircraft under part 91 at night you MUST have an approved, operating anti-collision lighting system. There are no exceptions, no Grandfather clause and no Sanity clause. (Ref 14 CFR sec 91.205(c) ).

Something else that is often overlooked: If you install such an anti-collision lighting system, so that you can legally fly at night, you are then REQUIRED to operate that system even in the daytime, unless to do so is determined to endanger the safety of the flight. (Ref 14 CFR sec 91.209(b) )

[cvavon]

Re: Rotating Beacon

Richard

here is a copies of a 337 that is for a light on 26658 can also get photos if needed as it is still on plane

[KewFlyer]

Re: Rotating Beacon

Richard:

Great post. I'm working on strobe-position lights and a rotating beacon will add visibility which is what I'm looking for. Being on downwind and another plane can not see you...is frightening to say the least. Twice in a year..so far. Need to change airport or add a 360 deg reflector.

[magman]

Re: Rotating Beacon

Note that if anyone is using this that AC43.13-1A is cancelled.

AC43.13-1B is current.

Before submitting best check out the references.

[Ray36048]

Re: Rotating Beacon

I installed one of the FS 4400 in my Cherokee many years ago. You could use the radio or the strobe, but not both. That thing made so much noise on the electrical system I had to remove it. I have 2 Whelen units installed with no problems.

For a Taylorcraft, I would look at one of the LED types.

[Pearson]

Re: Rotating Beacon

Wow! There is a lot to consider in choosing a beacon light. I had never thought about radio interference. I have the latest version of AC43.13, so that shouldn't be a problem. And Charles, I think that 337 is the same as the one in the resources section, which I have a copy of. But thanks for sharing it.

I am considering using an Aeroflash unit, part # 157-0001. I like it because it is small in size, weight, and price, $125. The LED stuff is nice, but waaay to spendy for me. Here is a link to the Aeroflash unit;

http://www.aeroflash.com/aeroflash_anticollision_lamp.php

[waltermrich]

Re: Rotating Beacon

What do the FAR's say about flying during civil twilight does that require a Beacon / strobe or can you fly with just position lights