"Jim Macklin" wrote in message
news:OadVf.733$t22.245@dukeread08...

Wing tip lights can be and often are recognition lights, but
they could be ice lights, navigation lights, but each type
of light has an official name and purpose.

On a King Air 200/300 recognition lights are located at the
wing tip behind the cover but on the leading edge. They are
high intensity white lights that are about 2x3 inches. They
are designed to allow traffic and persons in the tower to
see the airplane and the bank angle. They also work as an
ice detector because the ice builds on the light shield and
if the recognition light is ON it really makes any ice
shine.

But the ice light is located in the engine nacelle, just
along the leading edge to light up the wing so the pilot can
see the ice build up.

The navigation lights are colored lights of international
treaty approved colors and location.


That's swell, but I was asking why he decided to call the lights on wingtip
and tail "wingtip lights".