Zenith Aircraft Builders and Flyers
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Legal night flight lighting
As I moved out of Phase I testing, I am no longer restricted to strictly daylight flying, night flights are an option! I am disappointed to come to the realization that my Strobe/Nav AeroLED EXP lighting does not seem to meet the required (light intensity) candela rating (400 candela) to be night legal. (The EXP and NSP models have no listed candela rating. as listed on the spec sheet.) The PULSAR NSP light specs are listed as meeting required TSO candela requirements, but not sure what the TSO specs they are referring to. It would seem that if you want to fly at night and have the required lighting, do some research and go with something other than the AeroLED EXP and NSP lights offered thru Zenith. Maybe they can get substitute the appropriately rated models for same price? Otherwise, may have to purchase PMA items?
Anyone with some thoughts or comments?
Replies to This Discussion
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Permalink Reply by Loren Warner on
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Your lights are fine.
Spec sheet for the AEROLEDS:
AC 20-74 specifies different candela minimums for anti-collision lights and position lights.
- Minimum of 400 candelas for Anti-collision (strobe) lights.
- According to figure 3.1 in AC 20-74, a minimum of 40 candelas for Position lights.
AC 20-74 is old (1971). To see the most current intensity requirements for position lights, I would reference the following...
TSO-C30c, AIRCRAFT POSITION LIGHTS
http://rgl.faa.gov/Regulatory_and_Guidance_Library/rgTSO.nsf/0/D27F...
^ This TSO references SAE AS8037 found here
https://www.sae.org/standards/content/as8037c/
Check this out as well
https://www.whelen.com/pb/Aviation/System%20Requirements/Anit-Colli...
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Permalink Reply by David J. Beaulieu on
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Hi Loren, thanks for the detailed reply. Unfortunately, I did not install the Pulsar NSP - I have the EXP units which were being offered by Zenith at the time. Not sure what they can obtain or provide from AeroLED now days. Query regarding the EXP lights "The features area you mention that the strobe is FAR Class 1 Equivalent. What does that mean? I realize these lights are experimental but do they meet the requirements of FAR 91.209.
Per the supplier: Class 1 strobes are 100 effective candela, and this was the FAR standard for airplanes certified prior to 1973. The current strobe requirement for certified airplanes is 400 effective candela."Would suggest going with the PULSAR NSP (or something else meeting requirements) if you want to "straight-face" any FAA personnel regarding legal specs for night flight. Guess I'll add this to my list of my to-do improvements!
Cheers!
Dave
ft
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Sorry, missed your having the EXP.
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Bob, where is there any engine specific requirements for night flying?
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Hi Bob, IAW the UL Power operating manual, the engine is not specifically restricted from night flight. These statements are the only ones listed regarding use of the engine:
"This engine is designed for possible application on aircraft used in VFR conditions which have the
capabilities of controlled gliding without engine power.""This engine is not suited for acrobatics (inverted flight, etc.)."
I am going to assume that would make a case for not excluding the engine (per the manufacturer) from night flight.
Thoughts?
Dave
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Permalink Reply by Jim and Amelia Isaacs on
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Hi Dave. Did you register your aircraft as EAB?
Jim
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Hi Jim,
Yes, what prompts the question?
Dave
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Permalink Reply by Tim Jones on
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HI David -
Thank you for this post! I missed this detail completely. Will go with the NSP version for my Cruzer.
Tim
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Dave,
It wasn’t related to the engine, just a general operating restriction per FAR 91.319 c.2. You seem like someone who does their research but does your operating certificate include authorization to fly at night?
Jim
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Jim, the only explicit day restriction I recall was related to Phase I flight testing. After that, as long as I meet the Part 91 night flight equipment requirements, I am under the impression that I'm "good to go". I need to get to the hangar and reread the OL...will post back after I get a chance to do so! Thanks for bringing up the question. Dave
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