dan said:I wouldn't do it. Most RVators leave their flaps down full time when on the ground...less chance of kicking the flap on entry/exit, fewer cycles on the motor, etc. If we all had to have our landing lights on whenever our flaps were deployed, they'd be on (and robbing valuable electrons) during engine start, or any time the master was flipped on for that matter. Not a fan of that "automatic" approach.
For that matter, I leave my landing lights wig-wagging almost 100% of the time in flight. Regardless of flaps. Besides, do you really want to WAIT until you're already IN the pattern to have those lights on or flashing? I want to be recognized BEFORE I enter the pattern.
Sometimes while wingman in formation I need to leave my lights OFF. I wouldn't want some automation kicking in. I don't mind the control...I like the control.
It's your airplane, do it however you see fit...but I wouldn't want the complexity or the "policy" on my airplane.
vlittle said:<SNIP>
...so in conclusion... why make them automatic on flap deployment? Just use them all the time.
Vern
Truth be told, when I use flight following and I'm cruising up high, my landing lights are typically off. When ATC calls out traffic, or calls me out as traffic, on go the wig-wags until at least one of us calls out "traffic in sight."Ron Lee said:Where I fly it does not make sense. I do use them when about 10 miles out from landing. Perhaps flying low in the east it makes sense but at 12,500' it does not.
JHines said:Is the life pretty good on the wing-mounted landing lights? do you leave halogens on all the time or just HIDs?
dan said:Truth be told, when I use flight following and I'm cruising up high, my landing lights are typically off. When ATC calls out traffic, or calls me out as traffic, on go the wig-wags until at least one of us calls out "traffic in sight."
On my descent I wig-wag until I clear the runway.
When flying in the LA basin or SF Bay Area (or any other congested area) at just about any altitude, I'm wig-wagging.