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#1
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STC'd Landing Light?
This was spotted at the National Cherokee Fly-In last weekend:
http://www.alexisparkinn.com/photogallery/CPA/Small%20Non-standard%20landing%20light%20on%20Cherokee!%206-04.jpg There's a matching one on the other strut, too. How's it possible that this light is legal? -- Jay Honeck Iowa City, IA Pathfinder N56993 www.AlexisParkInn.com "Your Aviation Destination" |
#2
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"Jay Honeck" wrote in message
news:li7Cc.162603$Ly.150177@attbi_s01... [...] How's it possible that this light is legal? Why would it not be? Your subject implies there's an STC, which clearly makes it legal, but even if we're just a victim of a misleading subject, it could have been installed as a one-time 337 approval. For that matter, what are the "external load" rules? I don't know them off the top of my head, but maybe these lights simply qualify as an external load. I'd be curious as to how effective they are. The light looks like a normal fog/driving light that you normally find under the bumper of an automobile. Those are nice to have in a car, but the ones I've used don't provide enough beam to be useful at landing speeds. Maybe for taxiing around though. The thing I'm trying to figure out is, you were at the fly-in yourself, you took the picture of the landing lights (it seems), but you didn't ask the owner of the airplane directly? Isn't that the whole point of a fly-in, to meet the other pilots and learn about each other's airplanes and experiences? Even if the owner weren't around, you could have left a note. I have been left notes on my own airplane, and am perfectly happy to phone someone who wants to ask about it. Pete |
#3
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How's it possible that this light is legal?
Why would it not be? Your subject implies there's an STC, which clearly makes it legal, but even if we're just a victim of a misleading subject, it could have been installed as a one-time 337 approval. I suppose it's possible he got a field approval for (what appear to be) Subaru fog lights on the struts of a certificated aircraft. It just doesn't seem to happen that way in my neck of the woods. Personally, I think it's the greatest landing/taxi light I've seen. The fact that he had the balls to fly into a major fly-in with those installed indicates that either: a) They ARE legal or b) He's a ramp check waiting to happen The thing I'm trying to figure out is, you were at the fly-in yourself, you took the picture of the landing lights (it seems), but you didn't ask the owner of the airplane directly? We never did run into the guy who owned it. It was just one of over 130 Cherokees, parked wingtip to wingtip. We took pictures of many of them. Even if the owner weren't around, you could have left a note. I have been left notes on my own airplane, and am perfectly happy to phone someone who wants to ask about it. 'Spose we could have. Instead we just took the picture and kept on walking, laughing. I really want a set of those $39.95 "landing lights!" They sure expose the $1K "Boom beam" for the rip-off it really is, and probably work almost as well. Maybe better, on the ground. -- Jay Honeck Iowa City, IA Pathfinder N56993 www.AlexisParkInn.com "Your Aviation Destination" |
#4
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On Wed, 23 Jun 2004 14:13:58 GMT, "Jay Honeck"
wrote: I really want a set of those $39.95 "landing lights!" They sure expose the $1K "Boom beam" for the rip-off it really is, and probably work almost as well. Maybe better, on the ground. you could improve the idea in the way that a local T18 owner did. his are in the face of a hinged cover. when not in use they fold up into a streamline position shining down. great for night time walk arounds. in flight they can be pulled into the landing position or any position between by a pull cable in the cockpit. he says that the ability to incline the light during the approach to pick out something better is something he loves. Stealth Pilot Australia |
#5
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Jay Honeck wrote: This was spotted at the National Cherokee Fly-In last weekend: Looks exactly like a Bosch auto driving light. In any case, if you have the specifications (mainly the weight and voltage draw) and can find a friendly inspector, a 337 and a field inspection makes it legal. George Patterson None of us is as dumb as all of us. |
#6
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Looks exactly like a Bosch auto driving light. In any case, if you have the
specifications (mainly the weight and voltage draw What is the voltage draw on the average landing light? |
#7
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Hankal wrote: What is the voltage draw on the average landing light? They run between 50 and 450 watts, with either a 14 volt or 28 volt system. Probably the most common is the 4509, which is a 14 volt, 100 watt bulb. My aircraft has two. The Bosch driving lights (which those resemble) use 12 volt 50 watt quartz halogen bulbs. They would work just fine with a 14 volt aircraft system. George Patterson None of us is as dumb as all of us. |
#8
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. Probably the most common is the 4509, which is a 14 volt, 100 watt bulb
I have one and it trips my 20 amp CB. I know I do not have a short, but maybe my 20 amp CB is weak. Any comments? Hank |
#9
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Hankal wrote: . Probably the most common is the 4509, which is a 14 volt, 100 watt bulb I have one and it trips my 20 amp CB. I know I do not have a short, but maybe my 20 amp CB is weak. Any comments? Using Ohm's law, that bulb draws 7.14 amps. Here's what I would do. First, I'd try a new bulb. If the problem persists, I would remove the bulb and turn the switch on. a. If the breaker trips, you have a short in either the switch, the socket, or the wiring between the two. I would then disconnect the switch from the wiring to the light and try again. If the breaker pops, the problem is in the switch. b. If the breaker does not trip in the first test, then hook up a pair of test wires to the bulb. Disconnect the wire that runs from the breaker to the switch at the breaker. Then run one of the test wires to ground and touch the other to the breaker output pole. If the breaker trips, it's the breaker. George Patterson None of us is as dumb as all of us. |
#10
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Then run one of the test wires to ground and touch the other to the breaker
output pole. If the breaker trips, it's the breaker. Thanks George |
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