Strobe Light Questions
Moderators: GAHorn, Karl Towle, Bruce Fenstermacher
- GAHorn
- Posts: 21302
- Joined: Fri Apr 12, 2002 8:45 pm
Re: Strobe Light Questions
I would not encourage anyone to go to the electrnics store and collect parts to build a strobe system for an airplane. A TSO is not req'd by FAR for most things on this thing...but an anticollision system is specified, and unless you install an old rotating beacon ... your modern system MUST meet current regs,...which include that strobes be TSO'd to meet the proper light-output of the FARs. (Not to mention the hazards of other installation problems. Hint: search for the navajo wing pics I posted.)
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'53 B-model N146YS SN:25713
50th Anniversary of Flight Model. Winner-Best Original 170B, 100th Anniversary of Flight Convention.
An originality nut (mostly) for the right reasons.
50th Anniversary of Flight Model. Winner-Best Original 170B, 100th Anniversary of Flight Convention.
An originality nut (mostly) for the right reasons.

- falco
- Posts: 218
- Joined: Tue May 25, 2010 5:44 pm
Re: Strobe Light Questions
IIRC, that Navajo pilot also noted the smell of avgas before he turned on the strobes... Leaky tanks are a serious concern even if the paperwork for the strobes (and Cleveland wheels) is in perfect order. I don't recall in that incedent that that guy used bootleg parts for his lighting system, just that the tank was leaking and wiring chafed, one of which he was aware of.
-
- Posts: 2615
- Joined: Thu Sep 30, 2010 11:35 pm
Re: Strobe Light Questions
Maybe he was running mogas!falco wrote:IIRC, that Navajo pilot also noted the smell of avgas before he turned on the strobes... Leaky tanks are a serious concern even if the paperwork for the strobes (and Cleveland wheels) is in perfect order. I don't recall in that incedent that that guy used bootleg parts for his lighting system, just that the tank was leaking and wiring chafed, one of which he was aware of.
- GAHorn
- Posts: 21302
- Joined: Fri Apr 12, 2002 8:45 pm
Re: Strobe Light Questions
I wasn't trying to imply that a bootleg strobe system was the cause for the explosion.
My point was that proper methods, materials, and good maintenance practices are paramount. And the implication is that a bootleg strobe system might pose unexpected and insidious hazards.
(And I don't know what the Navajo pilot knew or didn't know before the explosion, but I'll be willing to bet he's more stringent about aircraft maintenance afterwards.)
My point was that proper methods, materials, and good maintenance practices are paramount. And the implication is that a bootleg strobe system might pose unexpected and insidious hazards.
(And I don't know what the Navajo pilot knew or didn't know before the explosion, but I'll be willing to bet he's more stringent about aircraft maintenance afterwards.)
'53 B-model N146YS SN:25713
50th Anniversary of Flight Model. Winner-Best Original 170B, 100th Anniversary of Flight Convention.
An originality nut (mostly) for the right reasons.
50th Anniversary of Flight Model. Winner-Best Original 170B, 100th Anniversary of Flight Convention.
An originality nut (mostly) for the right reasons.

-
- Posts: 2615
- Joined: Thu Sep 30, 2010 11:35 pm
Re: Strobe Light Questions
At $1137.00, they just might be the most expensive solution tho. 

-
- Posts: 2615
- Joined: Thu Sep 30, 2010 11:35 pm
Re: Strobe Light Questions
Thats a tricky one.
Although they MEET the TSO, in order to be used as anti-collision they need to BE TSO'd. right?
Else you still need the rotating beacon.
edit: just read the last of your post so I said the same thing you did.
ignore me.
Although they MEET the TSO, in order to be used as anti-collision they need to BE TSO'd. right?
Else you still need the rotating beacon.
edit: just read the last of your post so I said the same thing you did.
ignore me.
- GAHorn
- Posts: 21302
- Joined: Fri Apr 12, 2002 8:45 pm
Re: Strobe Light Questions
You cannot simply install some pretty flashing lights and still comply with the applicable FARs. They not only must meet the visibility requirements of angle-of-departure and color... They must also meet the requirements for brilliance (candela, a method of measuring lumens or light output.)
Here's the rules:
All aircraft must have an approved anti-collision light and position light system for nighttime operations. The position lights consist of an Aviation Red on the left side, an Aviation Green on the right, and an Aviation White tail-light (REF. FAR 23.1389). The anti-collision lighting system is required under FAR PART 91.205(c)(3). There are different requirements affecting different aircraft. These aircraft are categorized by the date of application for type certificate. Home built aircraft are determined by the date of issuance of the Experimental Operating Limitations.
The different categories are as follows:
Aircraft for which type certificate was applied for after April 1, 1957 to August 10, 1971:
These anti-collision systems must produce a minimum of 100 effective candela in Aviation Red or White (REF. FAR 23.1397), 360º around the aircraft’s vertical axis, 30º above and below the horizontal plane (REF. FAR 23.1401).
Aircraft for which type certificate was applied for after August 11, 1971 to July 18, 1977: These anti-collision systems must produce a minimum of 400 effective candela in Aviation Red or White (REF. FAR 23.1397), 360º around the aircraft’s vertical axis, 30º above and below the horizontal plane (REF. FAR 23.1401).
Aircraft for which type certificate was applied for after July 18, 1977: These anti-collision systems must produce a minimum of 400 effective candela in Aviation Red or White (REF. FAR 23.1397), 360º around the aircraft’s vertical axis, 75º above and below the horizontal plane (REF. FAR 23.1401).
*The position lights must be wired independently of anti-collision lights.
Lighting manufacturers comply with those rules if they sell to certificated aircraft. Older aircraft are "grandfathered"...as long as any replacement lighting meets the new rules. (And that is the catch for those of us "upgrading" to newer systems such as strobes which did not exist when our airplanes were certificated. Some die-hards will argue this last point, but the question remains: Are you installing these things to be SEEN? Or not?)
Here's the rules:
All aircraft must have an approved anti-collision light and position light system for nighttime operations. The position lights consist of an Aviation Red on the left side, an Aviation Green on the right, and an Aviation White tail-light (REF. FAR 23.1389). The anti-collision lighting system is required under FAR PART 91.205(c)(3). There are different requirements affecting different aircraft. These aircraft are categorized by the date of application for type certificate. Home built aircraft are determined by the date of issuance of the Experimental Operating Limitations.
The different categories are as follows:
Aircraft for which type certificate was applied for after April 1, 1957 to August 10, 1971:
These anti-collision systems must produce a minimum of 100 effective candela in Aviation Red or White (REF. FAR 23.1397), 360º around the aircraft’s vertical axis, 30º above and below the horizontal plane (REF. FAR 23.1401).
Aircraft for which type certificate was applied for after August 11, 1971 to July 18, 1977: These anti-collision systems must produce a minimum of 400 effective candela in Aviation Red or White (REF. FAR 23.1397), 360º around the aircraft’s vertical axis, 30º above and below the horizontal plane (REF. FAR 23.1401).
Aircraft for which type certificate was applied for after July 18, 1977: These anti-collision systems must produce a minimum of 400 effective candela in Aviation Red or White (REF. FAR 23.1397), 360º around the aircraft’s vertical axis, 75º above and below the horizontal plane (REF. FAR 23.1401).
*The position lights must be wired independently of anti-collision lights.
Lighting manufacturers comply with those rules if they sell to certificated aircraft. Older aircraft are "grandfathered"...as long as any replacement lighting meets the new rules. (And that is the catch for those of us "upgrading" to newer systems such as strobes which did not exist when our airplanes were certificated. Some die-hards will argue this last point, but the question remains: Are you installing these things to be SEEN? Or not?)

'53 B-model N146YS SN:25713
50th Anniversary of Flight Model. Winner-Best Original 170B, 100th Anniversary of Flight Convention.
An originality nut (mostly) for the right reasons.
50th Anniversary of Flight Model. Winner-Best Original 170B, 100th Anniversary of Flight Convention.
An originality nut (mostly) for the right reasons.

- n3833v
- Posts: 858
- Joined: Tue Apr 23, 2002 6:02 pm
Re: Strobe Light Questions
I found my problem with the power input connection. Checked both wing harness & light assemblies and no problem until I tried to power the supply with the harness plug. Repaired and now working fine. I also installed LED's and the 1157's fit and the pigtail base contact is large enough to contact both posts in my 48.
John
John
John Hess
Past President 2018-2021
President 2016-2018, TIC170A
Vice President 2014-2016, TIC170A
Director 2005-2014, TIC170A
N3833V Flying for Fun
'67 XLH 900 Harley Sportster
EAA Chapter 390 Pres since 2006
K3KNT
Past President 2018-2021
President 2016-2018, TIC170A
Vice President 2014-2016, TIC170A
Director 2005-2014, TIC170A
N3833V Flying for Fun
'67 XLH 900 Harley Sportster
EAA Chapter 390 Pres since 2006
K3KNT
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