Landing light location

[DesertBearhawk]

Guys, I'm sure this horse has been beaten to death but.... As I'm deciding landing light location I'm really considering the #9 nose rib location where the flanges are opposite each other. Would anyone have any reason to say that location is not good choice??? Thanks!

[marcusofcotton]

Using leading edge landing lights compromises the structural design. If one chooses to use them, they should be out near the tip where structural loads are the least.

Mark J

[N3UW]

Dave, I installed a wing tip light into my cherokee as a STC into the leading edge. Since there was engineering and testing involved in that STC into a wing that was not originally designed for it this could be a good reference point. The designed the STC by installing a small false spar from the wing tip rib inboard about 10". It then attached to a new partial rib that attached to the false spar and continued forward to the leading edge. This created close structure that supported the leading edge. There was also a doubler that wend under the skin about 2" wide all around. I can send you photos of the drawings and photos of the install if you are interested. I always like the idea of copying.

[Matt K.]

Way back on the yahoo group there is quite a bit on this subject, specifically Pat Fagan's experience. My landing lights are going in the fiberglass tips and/or the nose bowl.

[DesertBearhawk]

Matt, can you offer some detail on this?

[Matt K.]

Short version: an iconic BH named Smokey got roughed up in some desert winds. Wing damage started at the outboard edge of the landing light cutout. Most folks since have stuffed landing lights in other locations.

[Zzz]

Another vote for wingtips. That's my plan at least.

[jaredyates]

Mine has worked out well in the nose bowl so far, but it is an LED so vibration isn't as much of a concern as with the old incandescents. Back when I got mine, AeroLEDs was selling their seconds out of their booth at Oshkosh for half price. I'm not sure if they still do that.

[Enewton57]

Here is how I did mine in the wingtips. Eric Newton - Long Beach, MS http://mybearhawk.com

[Enewton57]

Forgot the link: http://mybearhawk.com/finish/tips5.html Eric Newton - Long Beach, MS http://mybearhawk.com

[Battson]

Unless you are flying Night VFR, or IFR, don't forget they are surplus to requirements - and add weight!

[Zzz]

Unless you are flying Night VFR, or IFR, don't forget they are surplus to requirements - and add weight!

For sure. I rarely fly at night, but the few times a year that I do land in the dark, I sure wouldn't want to be caught out there without them.

[DesertBearhawk]

I've decided to NOT install into the leading edge. It will either be in the fiberglass wingtip or the nose bowl.

[jaredyates]

The new LEDs are bright enough to help make the plane more visible, even in the daytime. I run mine on blink mode any time the engine is running, unless a marshaller is in front of the airplane.

[whee]

I enjoy flying at night and used to be of the opinion that landing lights were an necessary item even for vfr night flying. I flew for nearly ten years with semi frequent local night flight with no landing lights and didn't have a problem till this spring when I and an encounter with a taxiway light When the day comes that I can build myself a BH it will have a landing light in the wingtip.