Strobes

Steve Hopkins wrote:

Ordinary strobes are, as has been agreed, not powerful enough to make
much of a contribution to visibility. However, a former glider pilot and
electronic engineer, Phil Manning, is developing an LED flash to perform
the same function. The "flashes" are of much higher intensity but of
much shorter duration than that emitted from a strobe so current
drainage is reasonable. Furthermore, as this is a cold light, the
casings can be moulded to conform with the glider thereby reducing any
extra drag. I suggest that anyone interested in his work contact him
directly at;-

Current strobes already have such a short duration I believe it is not a
factor; instead, the eye is just responding to the "total energy"
emitted by the flash. If I'm right, then a brighter, shorter duration
flash won't help any, and unless the LED's are more efficient at
converting energy to light (or have a more visible spectrum) than the
flash tubes used, there won't be any reduction in power required.

There may be other advantages, such cheaper, smaller, and lighter
circuitry because high voltages aren't required, and a more rugged unit.
A good test before planning to install them would be to try them near to
a conventional strobe in daylight, and start walking away until you lose
sight of one them! Let us know when some testing has been done.

Reducing the repetition rate is a simple way to cut current consumption,
and would be acceptable for typical glider speeds, unless regulation
prohibit it.

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Eric Greenwell
Washington State
USA