Landing light used as taxi

[Electrogunner]

I have a set of aero led Sunray plus, 1 in each wingtip. I was thinking about using a three position switch up landing, middle off, down taxi and running the taxi circuit through a preset dimming module to the sunray plus lights to dim them a bit so as to not blind any one on taxi way. Just need for recognition. Any thoughts on this? Seems to be a good solution so we don't have 2 sets of lights, cost and maintenance. I will be using the vertical power ECB, so should need some diodes or could run though relay so as to not back feed the landing light or taxi circuit.

[David Paule]

A while ago I looked around at the differences between taxi and landing lights and found that the dedicated taxi lights had a wider beam angle. I eventually decided that a wider beam angle would suit my needs better generally and used that as a criteria for the RV-3B I'm building. I have both on my C-180 and use the taxi light as a daytime running light, taking advantage of its wider beam for better collision avoidance.

Its switch is a single combined pull-out switch, but I like it and would keep the logic on the RV-3B if I had separate taxi and landing lights, which I don't: Down would be off, middle taxi, and up would be landing.

I've never felt the need to have a dimmer in the system.

Dave

[larrynew]

I also have an AEROLEDs Sunray Plus in each wingtip powered through a VP-X Pro. I angled the right one down and in a little and use that as my sole taxi light when passing someone on the ground. The different aim points work great for landing with lots of night flying in 300+ hours.

[Electrogunner]

Originally Posted by larrynew

I also have an AEROLEDs Sunray Plus in each wingtip powered through a VP-X Pro. I angled the right one down and in a little and use that as my sole taxi light when passing someone on the ground. The different aim points work great for landing with lots of night flying in 300+ hours.

Do you just use both as taxi or do you have separate switch for the right one?

[larrynew]

Originally Posted by Electrogunner

Do you just use both as taxi or do you have separate switch for the right one?

Separate switch for each light. Taxi with both unless passing another aircraft on the ground.

[Auburntsts]

Originally Posted by David Paule

A while ago I looked around at the differences between taxi and landing lights and found that the dedicated taxi lights had a wider beam angle.

Another difference, at least on some aircraft is the mounting angle for otherwise identical lights. From a level attitude the landing lights are mounted angling down, while taxi lights are mounted level. (Note: this is in tri-cycle aircraft.)