wrote:
But the problem is high power LED's like Luxeons require hefty
heatsinks, which makes them not so attractive in composite structures
or confined spaces. That's why I thought a fiber optic illuminator
might be an attractive solution.


Make yourself a fairing out of 1/4" plexiglass. Well, not a whole
fairing, just a section that would be the glass that you'd have for the
light anyway. Now drill some 3/16" holes in it. Not just any way.
Drill the holes to distribute the light of high power LEDs in the
appropriate directions. Drill the hole with a high speed drill. The
plexiglass will melt a little and you won't be able to push the bit back
in once it cools down. That's good, as the standard superbright LED
will be a push fit. Stick a 1/2W 220 ohm resistor inline with two LEDs,
then parallel all the strings. Pot it with some clear epoxy. A little
paint in the appropriate places, and it'll look like you don't even have
lights.

3/16" holes could be made in a fiberglass fuselage to make running lights.

--
This is by far the hardest lesson about freedom. It goes against
instinct, and morality, to just sit back and watch people make
mistakes. We want to help them, which means control them and their
decisions, but in doing so we actually hurt them (and ourselves)."