Actually, I'm in the process of manufacturing a line of LED aircraft lights. I
have a mass of most confusing FARs and FAA info on getting lights certified,
at work. I'll try to post the numbers tomorow. The rules for experimentals are
based on the year finished. The cut off for the latest year group starts in
like 1976 or so. Everything after that requires wing tip lights, one red one
green, a tail light, and a belly light. The tail can strobe. The tail and
belly can strobe, or the wing tips can both strobe. And that's if I can remember
it right.
Jeremy in Dallas
Sent via BlackBerry from T-Mobile
-----Original Message-----
From: "Jack Phillips" <pietflyr@bellsouth.net>
Date: Wed, 3 Sep 2008 05:18:43 PM PDT
To: <pietenpol-list@matronics.com>
Subject: RE: Lights
I stand corrected. I just re-read the FARs and the only requirement I could
find are the following:
91.209 Aircraft Lights
No person may:
(a) During the period from sunset to sunrise... -
(1) Operate an aircraft unless it has lighted position lights; or
(b) Operate an aircraft that is equipped with an anti-collision light system
unless it has lighted anti-collision lights. However the anti-collision
lights need not be lighted when the pilot-in-command determines that,
because of operating conditions, it would be in the interest of safety to
turn the lights off.
And that is all that is said about it. Sounds to me like battery operated
lights are OK. Still it might be good to check with your local DAR or FSDO.
Jack Phillips
NX899JP
-----Original Message-----
From: owner-pietenpol-list-server@matronics.com
[mailto:owner-pietenpol-list-server@matronics.com] On Behalf Of Jim Ash
Sent: Wednesday, September 03, 2008 7:31 PM
To: pietenpol-list@matronics.com
Subject: RE: Lights
Originally, Cubs optionally had basic running lights powered by a dry cell,
although the systems were few and far between. I don't think there was
anything more than that. Would that be grandfathered in, and if so, could
this somehow be applied to a Piet to skip the alternator/generator
requirement?
Jim Ash
-----Original Message-----
>From: Jack Phillips <pietflyr@bellsouth.net>
>Sent: Sep 3, 2008 6:47 PM
>To: pietenpol-list@matronics.com
>Subject: RE: Lights
>
<pietflyr@bellsouth.net>
>
>The FAA requires that to fly after dark an airplane must have lights and a
>method of generating electrical power in flight. Thus you've got to have a
>battery and a generator or alternator. As someone else said, it's a lot of
>weight to carry around for something you will use a couple of times a year.
>
>Jack Phillips
>NX899JP
>
>-----Original Message-----
>From: owner-pietenpol-list-server@matronics.com
>[mailto:owner-pietenpol-list-server@matronics.com] On Behalf Of
>outofthebox50@yahoo.com
>Sent: Wednesday, September 03, 2008 3:16 PM
>To: pietenpol-list@matronics.com
>Subject: Lights
>
>
>Is anyone running lights? I looked at several planes on west coast piet
and
>didn't see any. Granted many pc you live in places where night flying in
an
>open cockpit would be a little chilly. It would be quite an awesome
feeling
>to take a night flight in an open cockpit on warm Texas nights. Oscar
>could guard against the folks sneaking across the border under cover of
>darkness!
>
>We're not going to put lights on ours, but I would love to be able to fly
it
>at night.
>
>Jeremy in Dallas
>Sent via BlackBerry from T-Mobile
>
>
