Wig-Wag worth the cost & complexity?

[N941WR]

There has been a lot of talk about wig-wag flashers and I'm not sure they give the protection / visibility everyone thinks they do.

The reason being is the lights (Duckworth kits) are set so far back in the wing the only person who will see them flash is someone looking straight down the wing hole, which means they can probably see you anyway.

If you don't believe me, ask an RV friend with the Duckworth lights to turn on his landing lights (turn off the wig-wag, if they have it), ask him to shoot the approach and land while you and stand on the ground and watch.

It will look like the lights are going on and off as the pilot adjusts his glide path for the landing.

Just my $.02.

Comments?

[randylervold]

Every time I've seen a plane with wig-wags on (with Duckworks lights) it has been very obvious to me, even a fair amount off axis, and during daylight. I don't think it is subtle either. I've never paid attention to how far off axis one needs to be to notice them during daylight, but I'd estimate that they can easily be seen 30? off the centerline.

[vlittle]

I personally have avoided a mid-air because the other pilot had his landing light on. A wig-wag or a pulse light would have been even better.

You can see the light before you can see the airplane, even in daytime.

Even if it's only visible from the front quarters, this is region of maximum closing rate where you need the most warning.

Wig-wags or pulse lights are far more effective than strobes for daytime collision avoidance. A simple wig-wag flasher is very cheap life insurance. At least, fly with your lights on.

BTW a wig-wag extends lamp life, so it may also pay for itself in bulbs.

Vern Little

[Rosie]

Originally Posted by vlittle

<snip>...BTW a wig-wag extends lamp life, so it may also pay for itself in bulbs. Vern Little

I'm 15 hours short of 2900 TT on our RV-6A and fly with the wig-wags flashing 100% of the time. I have changed each bulb (round 4509 / H7604 sealed beam) exactly one time each so I'm a big believer in what Vern says here.

I've been flying (and very happy with) this wig-wag flasher, and they also have one with multi-pattern, programmable patterns. Control towers have commented on numerous occassions how well they can be seen during the day.

When combined with the strobes, we look like a flashing Christmas Tree at night too! Whether you design your own or buy, I too feel it's cheap insurance Rosie

[aadamson]

Here's a couple that are not too expensive and seem to work well.

http://www.aeroelectric.com/PPS/Lighting/WigWag.pdf - roll your own.

And some commercial ones.
http://www.creativair.com/cva/produc...products_id=48
http://www.periheliondesign.com/wigwagmnl.htm
http://www.periheliondesign.com/wigwagdmnl.htm

[szicree]

When I built my wings way back when, I built in the duckworks lights but have subsequently built the plane as a day only. For me, the margin of safety in a single engine plane over a dense city at night is just too narrow. Knowing this, I opted to save the money and added complexity of lighting. The only downside to this decision has been those darn holes in my wings. After reading this thread, I'm gonna make em into dedicated wig-waggers. Thanks for the info guys. Now, where to put that extra switch?

[Jekyll]

I bought a B&C wig wag relay only to learn on opening it that it must have 2 lights to work. Seems it needs a balanced load. I have 1 HID and 1 regular light. Can't use HID with the w/w. So I have a relay for sale I guess. If I was 'lectricly' inclined I maight be able to build something to simulate the load of a second light but, I'm not so inclined (by ability or temperment).

I talked with the folks at Perihelion and they said their flasher would work with 1 light but that it would likely be less visible because it would be a blink mixed with an equal pause. I may go that route though.

I paid $22 for the B&C relay but will mail it, postage paid, for the first Jackson I get. Contact me off line.

Jekyll

[Jekyll]

Originally Posted by szicree

Thanks for the info guys. Now, where to put that extra switch?

Replace your landing light switch with a DTSP (is that right? like I said, I'm not very lectric literate) per Bob Nuckolls' design on the Aero Electric Connection:

http://www.aeroelectric.com/articles/WigWag/WigWag.pdf

Jekyll

[N941WR]

Originally Posted by szicree

When I built my wings way back when, I built in the duckworks lights but have subsequently built the plane as a day only. For me, the margin of safety in a single engine plane over a dense city at night is just too narrow. Knowing this, I opted to save the money and added complexity of lighting. The only downside to this decision has been those darn holes in my wings. After reading this thread, I'm gonna make em into dedicated wig-waggers. Thanks for the info guys. Now, where to put that extra switch?

Thanks for all the info regarding wig-wag lights, this is helpful. Although I'm still not sure if I'm convinced.

Regarding cutting those holes in your wings, pick up a cheep Body Saw from Northern Tool. They work wonders and there are so many other places they can be used.

[azav8or]

For a slight savings the Yardstore has a similar cutter for about $6 less. I bought one from them for the Duckworks but am not quite there yet.

http://www.yardstore.com/index.cfm?a...05&Category=99