Landing Lights on a Zenith STOL

by Jay Parker

Feb 19, 2010

Assuming I get a full Pilots License and wish to fly the LSA CH-750 as a regular plane after the sun sets, I’d like to know where those of you who have equal ambitions plan to install your landing/taxi lights on the CH-750? Do folks even fly STOLs after hours as I don’t recall seeing them on the Zenith website on any of the CH-801 photos. With the fixed leading edge wing slat on the Zenith STOLs, it would be very difficult to install wing recessed landing light within the slat and if you managed it, how would it disrupted airflow during climbs or landings when the fixed leading edge wing slats come into play. I’m not sure if there is room for a small LED type landing light in the wing tip areas fixed foward on these planes or if the jarring from landings would have some adverse affect on the landing lights if it were placed on the front landing gear just above the wheel (I'm thinking this may be the best option, unless I hear of problems)? Could they be recessed in the cowling or hang from the struts? If anyone have any thoughts on this subject and have plans to install landing lights or have done so already on one of these STOLS, that doesn’t screw up the STOL characteristics or create a lot of drag, I love to hear what you have to say on this subject.

Jay

  • Bob McDonald

    Check my Can-Zac Spycam photo album pictures. During construction, prior to painting I riveted and pre-drilled an heavy extruded "L" with A5 rivets to the spar attachment bracket for installing landing light on both wings. The lights are a high end HELLA driving lamps for automobiles. Very simple to install anf you can run the light wiring down the hollow strut and bring them into the fuselage with the brake lines.

    Bob

    Feb 19, 2010

  • Bob Simmons

    I've seen some aircraft with LED landing/taxi lights attached to the struts. That would probably be what I'd do.

    Feb 23, 2010

  • Rich Bauer

    I put my landing/taxi lights on the strut. See pic. I made a split bracket from 1/2" aluminum.

    Feb 26, 2010

  • Bob Simmons

    Rich, I must be blind. I've studied that picture three times and I still don't see lights on the strut.

    Mar 3, 2010

  • Hank Optland

    I can't see it either

    Apr 22, 2010

  • Jay Parker

    Looks like Zenith may have been working on recessed landing lights in the slats when I sent out this post. They look great too. I wonder how difficult it would be to recess those lights into the wing itself if I decide to go without slats and just use VGs?

    Apr 22, 2010

  • Bob Simmons

    Probably a lot easier than in the slats. There's already another forum thread going about these lights.

    Apr 22, 2010