I need better landing lights

[Rjmvmi1998]

I have been going down rabbit holes trying to find the best landing light modification for my RV10. Currently I have the stock factory wingtip lights and frankly it dangerous landing at night. I am seeking advice from fellow RV10 owners that actually land at night and their experience with the wing tip mounted mods vs the in-wing mods. I’m not interested in the cowl mod. Please, only looking from experience pilots who do night landings. Not interested in how cool it looks, I need functionality as I live on a grass strip and often land at night commuting for work. My two favorites so far are the aero led wing tips or the seven star setup in the wing. Thanks guru’s

 

[rocketman1988]

I have the Baja Designs LEDs in the wing leading edges and they work fine...but...if I built another -10, I would likely use the flyleds seven star mounted in the leading edge.

I have the LED tip lights, and they are nothing more than recog lights. The Baja Design work for landing but as they are narrow beam spots, leave a black hole directly in front of the airplane. I added wing root lights to improve the forward visibility. They consist of a flyleds dual spot on either side.

I like the flyleds product and will be using the Max taildragger product in my RV-15...

 

[Ironflight]

I agree with Bob - if you want real light, you need to go with leading edge lights. My RV-8 has had tip-mounted lights since the beginning, and it has always been poor for night flying. Our RV-3 and RV-6 have leading edge lights, and they light up the night! FlyLED’s are our current choices…the TaildraggerMax lights went in the F1 and will probably be in the -15 (I think that is what Louise is planning). Tip mounted landing lights are good for recognition or moonlit nights IMHO….

 

[lr172]

I have baja squadron pro lights in both planes. In the 6, they are in LE cutouts, and in the 10 they are in the tips (well outside to be able to light in front of plane). Both do a good job lighting up the runway. Because the tip mounted lights require just a bit of inward beam angle there is not quite as nuch runway fully illuminated. I feel this is very minor. A big difference here is that my baja's have the combo lenses. Two of the LEDs are are spot and two are flood. Suspect this could be an issue with tip mounted lights if all spot focused.

 

[Walt]

100W AeroLeds in the leading edge.

 

[Dugaru]

I have baja squadron pro lights in both planes.

I also have the Squadron Pros in leading edge cutouts. Both are spots. The lighting is excellent, and so good compared to the previous bulbs that I haven’t even thought about whether the combos would be an even better choice than the spots, they quite possibly would be.

 

[Circumnavigate]

Does anyone have experience with Aveo Ziptips Vegas? It. If I read correctly, the OP prefers wingtip over leading edge if possible. I’ve been considering a lighting upgrade myself and these include extra lighting features as well.

 

[N10KE]

If you prefer the "belt and suspenders" approach or if your eyes don't see well at night, leading edge and tip lights are an option. I originally had the AeroSun VX lights in the tips and as others have mentioned, most tip lights are cutoff directly in front of the plane. We switched to the AeroSun VXi lights and they are much better. I assume the Aveo ZipTips would be similar. We also have AeroLED's in the leading edge. This combination works well for my old eyes and our barely adequate lit grass strip.

 

[mulde35d]

I have the ziptips which do a great job ulluminating the runway as a whole, but they can be a little week directly in front of the nose, especially while taxiing on just taxi lights. I am considering adding some wing root lights to supplement directly off the nose.

 

[Ralph Inkster]

I use Baja pro combo leds (2 spots / 2 driving) in each leading edge, great light & better width illumination than prior straight spot lamps used in prior RVs.
Being mounted in the leading edges, I can aim them for best light pattern with minimum dark areas.

 

[N42AH]

I have been going down rabbit holes trying to find the best landing light modification for my RV10. Currently I have the stock factory wingtip lights and frankly it dangerous landing at night. I am seeking advice from fellow RV10 owners that actually land at night and their experience with the wing tip mounted mods vs the in-wing mods. I’m not interested in the cowl mod. Please, only looking from experience pilots who do night landings. Not interested in how cool it looks, I need functionality as I live on a grass strip and often land at night commuting for work. My two favorites so far are the aero led wing tips or the seven star setup in the wing. Thanks guru’s

FlyLed's has a single light you can get to replace the crappy halogen light in the wingtip. I use them in conjunction with the cowl light. Not the best...but it works. As others have stated the leading edge seven start option is by far the best. No such thing as too many lights.

 

[rocketman1988]

FlyLed's has a single light you can get to replace the crappy halogen light in the wingtip. I use them in conjunction with the cowl light. Not the best...but it works. As others have stated the leading edge seven start option is by far the best. No such thing as too many lights.

Yes, i teplaced the stock light with the flyled single spot. Only really good for recog lights but better than stock.

 

[kirkbauer]

I just finished installing one Seven Stars light in each of my wings for my RV10 build. I know several other people who are doing the same. If you are a builder it's about 10 hours of work for two installations using the Van's leading-edge wing cutout, however I didn't have to worry about touching up any paint.

 

[simpsonstu]

Hi Kirk, was that done after the wings were complete or during build?

Cheers Stu

 

[kirkbauer]

Hi Kirk, was that done after the wings were complete or during build?

Cheers Stu

During the build, but other than getting the power to the lights and fixing any paint, there is nothing special about the process that can't be done later. Van's has a template to cut the leading edge, so you cut, debur, match-drill some holes , install the mounting bracket, install the light, trim/install the plexiglass cover. Look up OP-52 for the instructions from Van's.

Now, if you aren't a builder and/or have a really nice paintjob that you are trying to protect, that definitely makes it tougher than it was for me to do it during my initial build.

 

[simpsonstu]

Cheers Kirk

 

[Paul from Flyleds]

I'll refrain from full sales pitch mode, but hopefully the info and the customers pictures on the Seven Stars page will convince you that we have the lights you're looking for.
This thread also helps to show you how light bays can be added to a painted wing. In this case Ashley was enlarging an existing hole, and it shows the best of both worlds for those trying to minimise paint damage which is the Duckworks mounting bracket and the larger opening of Van's light bay kit. Van's light mounting bracket rivets to the top and bottom skins, whereas the Duckworks bracket attaches to the ribs.

Picture courtesy of Vic Syracuse:

 

[Dustyone]

I have been going down rabbit holes trying to find the best landing light modification for my RV10. Currently I have the stock factory wingtip lights and frankly it dangerous landing at night. I am seeking advice from fellow RV10 owners that actually land at night and their experience with the wing tip mounted mods vs the in-wing mods. I’m not interested in the cowl mod. Please, only looking from experience pilots who do night landings. Not interested in how cool it looks, I need functionality as I live on a grass strip and often land at night commuting for work. My two favorites so far are the aero led wing tips or the seven star setup in the wing. Thanks guru’s

If you want a VFR landing on the darkest nights, go with Flyleds Seven Star.
An obscene amount of light.

Per side
Flyleds Seven Star................ : 588,000 candela
Aveo Vegas Zip Tips.................: 206,000 candela
Aeroleds 100W Sunspot......... : 200,000 candela +
AeroSun VXi...............................: 150,000 candela
Aeroled EVO IV..........................: 150,000 candela
WAT Parmetheus G3 ...............: 140,000 candela
Aeroleds Microsun...................: 15,000 candela

Flyleds are the best bang for bucks in Experimental Aviation with amazing customer service.

For installation, my preferred option these days is to use the RV-14 cut out Template for the wing and the RV-14 mounting bracket and lens.Paul has the details on his FlyLed's website.

The Dremel with a right angle attachment makes it easy to do a neat cut even on a painted wing.
Use the RV-14 mounts and touch up the rivets.

 

[Rjmvmi1998]

I have the Baja Designs LEDs in the wing leading edges and they work fine...but...if I built another -10, I would likely use the flyleds seven star mounted in the leading edge.

I have the LED tip lights, and they are nothing more than recog lights. The Baja Design work for landing but as they are narrow beam spots, leave a black hole directly in front of the airplane. I added wing root lights to improve the forward visibility. They consist of a flyleds dual spot on either side.

I like the flyleds product and will be using the Max taildragger product in my RV-15...

Thanks rocket man. I am convincing myself that seven star is the way to go.

 

[rocketman1988]

Thanks rocket man. I am convincing myself that seven star is the way to go.

I don’t think you will be disappointed.

 

[Rjmvmi1998]

I'll refrain from full sales pitch mode, but hopefully the info and the customers pictures on the Seven Stars page will convince you that we have the lights you're looking for.
This thread also helps to show you how light bays can be added to a painted wing. In this case Ashley was enlarging an existing hole, and it shows the best of both worlds for those trying to minimise paint damage which is the Duckworks mounting bracket and the larger opening of Van's light bay kit. Van's light mounting bracket rivets to the top and bottom skins, whereas the Duckworks bracket attaches to the ribs.

Picture courtesy of Vic Syracuse:
View attachment 110074

Paul, thanks to the great advise on the forum I’m sold on the Seven Star lights for my RV10. I checked the Vans website and I’m having trouble determine which kit I need to buy to modify the leading edge. Some of them seem to be unavailable. The RV10 is from the 2009 era so I will need to cut the holes in the leading edge and install the brackets and lens. Thanks for any advise.

 

[dwollen89]

I’m building a 7A and have the flyled wing tip works combo lights. I’m not flying yet. I’ve gone back and forth on adding a leading edge light as I’ve seen others comment that the wing tip lights have a dark spot directly ahead of the plane.

 

[Paul from Flyleds]

Paul, thanks to the great advise on the forum I’m sold on the Seven Star lights for my RV10. I checked the Vans website and I’m having trouble determine which kit I need to buy to modify the leading edge. Some of them seem to be unavailable. The RV10 is from the 2009 era so I will need to cut the holes in the leading edge and install the brackets and lens. Thanks for any advise.

Hi Robert
This is the kit that you want, and yes it appears to be out of stock at the moment. https://store.vansaircraft.com/rv-10-leading-edge-lens-kit-ll-lens-kit-rv-10.html
Duckworks Aviation also has a kit.

 

[Paul from Flyleds]

I’m building a 7A and have the flyled wing tip works combo lights. I’m not flying yet. I’ve gone back and forth on adding a leading edge light as I’ve seen others comment that the wing tip lights have a dark spot directly ahead of the plane.

Hi Dustin
The corner light bay in the W-715-1 wingtip for the RV-7 & -8 is much wider than the rest of the RV fleet, so to the best of our knowledge (after many hundreds of installations) shadowing is not a problem for this wingtip type.
You could always run an extra 16AWG wire in the wings so that if you decide to add more light in the future that job is done.

 

[kirkbauer]

Hi Robert
This is the kit that you want, and yes it appears to be out of stock at the moment. https://store.vansaircraft.com/rv-10-leading-edge-lens-kit-ll-lens-kit-rv-10.html
Duckworks Aviation also has a kit.

I have regularly been able to call Van's and order things that aren't in stock, so it's worth a call.

 

[Dad's RV-10]

I have regularly been able to call Van's and order things that aren't in stock, so it's worth a call.

As is frequently the case with Van's, "kits" are listed as backordered simply because the individual part numbers in the kit are not already "picked."

All of the parts needed for LL LENS KIT RV-10 are listed as "in stock" with the exception of DWG OP-52, which is a drawing.

In other words, place an order for "backordered" LL LENS KIT RV-10 and it will ship.

 

[kirkbauer]

As is frequently the case with Van's, "kits" are listed as backordered simply because the individual part numbers in the kit are not already "picked."

All of the parts needed for LL LENS KIT RV-10 are listed as "in stock" with the exception of DWG OP-52, which is a drawing.

In other words, place an order for "backordered" LL LENS KIT RV-10 and it will ship.

Good to know! Also, ironic, since the OP-52 plans that they ship you aren't printed to scale in my experience, so I had to reprint them anyways (so the template is actually usable).

 

[3stepdrop]

Does anyone have experience with Aveo Ziptips Vegas? It. If I read correctly, the OP prefers wingtip over leading edge if possible. I’ve been considering a lighting upgrade myself and these include extra lighting features as well.

I'm installing the Vegas tips but haven't got it all assembled yet.

 

[htx9a]

Here's a left-field option if "way too much" sounds like your style:
24,750 lumens at 150W, or dimmable.
Some DIY mounting required, but I have an earlier version of these installed on Duckworks brackets.

150W Air Module — StratusLEDs

Light-weight high power LED module

www.stratusleds.com

 

[dmattmul]

Does anyone have experience with Aveo Ziptips Vegas? It. If I read correctly, the OP prefers wingtip over leading edge if possible. I’ve been considering a lighting upgrade myself and these include extra lighting features as well.

I installed Vegas Aveo Ziptips and seem to be working well. Wingtip downlighting very effective for nighttime departures. Maintenance mode can be used with a remote to light up the plane for nighttime requirements. (Along with door and baggage lights.) Overall, I like them! The added drag of leading-edge lights was something I did not want to have.

 

[BoydBirchler]

A friend summed it up perfectly: landing at night with FlyLEDs landing lights is almost cheating, it's like landing during the day.

 

[Aviator]

I have the Aveo wingtips and they are bright. And looks awesome!

 

[dmattmul]

Recent pics of the Aveo Vegas Zip Tips. They are sufficient but not quite the Seven Stars light output for landing.


Rudder/logo lighting


"Maintenance mode" which turns on the interior door lighting and other exterior lights 30%.

 

[rzbill]

I have been going down rabbit holes trying to find the best landing light modification for my RV10. Currently I have the stock factory wingtip lights and frankly it dangerous landing at night. I am seeking advice from fellow RV10 owners that actually land at night and their experience with the wing tip mounted mods vs the in-wing mods. I’m not interested in the cowl mod. Please, only looking from experience pilots who do night landings. Not interested in how cool it looks, I need functionality as I live on a grass strip and often land at night commuting for work. My two favorites so far are the aero led wing tips or the seven star setup in the wing. Thanks guru’s

HID MR16 bulbs in the wingtips have worked great since original construction. Even got "What the heck are those?" From a couple of tower controllers. I have one aimed more for landing and one aimed more for taxi but they still overlap a lot which is good. Full disclosure. I had radio noise until I put a grounded aluminum foil faraday box around the ballasts. Silent after that.

 

[glider_rider]

Long time ago in a galaxy far away …
We used to fly gliders at night. A glider has no landing lights. The grass strip was marked with tiny battery powered lights, we called them “tombstone lights”
It’s doable and with a little bit of practice it’s perfectly safe
In my 14 I have the AeroLEDs which are very bright. I constantly catch myself not turning them on before landing at night. I just don’t need them.

 

[woxofswa]

Light Up - KITPLANES

When I first started construction on my RV-10 in 2007, old-school incandescent lights were making their way out of the market and LEDs were just coming in. I purchased a kit from Kuntzleman Electronics, which gave me LED position lights and conventional strobes that have served me well for more...

www.kitplanes.com

 

[ronrapp]

Paul: any idea if the Seven Stars would work in an RV-6 wingtip if that wingtip was equipped with the Hotel Whiskey tip tanks? I'm assuming not due to the size of the heat sink, but I've yet to see an aircraft with the tip tanks AND a set of wingtip FlyLEDs. Interestingly, my airplane has LEDs in the wingtips now, but they were home brewed and nothing like the output of your products.

--Ron

 

[tsaG]

Recent pics of the Aveo Vegas Zip Tips. They are sufficient but not quite the Seven Stars light output for landing.

View attachment 110639
Rudder/logo lighting

View attachment 110640
"Maintenance mode" which turns on the interior door lighting and other exterior lights 30%.

Do you by chance have a picture of the landing "light cone"? Unfortunately, there are no pictures of the lights of the Ziptips apart from the animations on the Aveo website.

 

[dmattmul]

Do you by chance have a picture of the landing "light cone"? Unfortunately, there are no pictures of the lights of the Ziptips apart from the animations on the Aveo website.

PM sent.

 

[Paul from Flyleds]

Paul: any idea if the Seven Stars would work in an RV-6 wingtip if that wingtip was equipped with the Hotel Whiskey tip tanks? I'm assuming not due to the size of the heat sink, but I've yet to see an aircraft with the tip tanks AND a set of wingtip FlyLEDs. Interestingly, my airplane has LEDs in the wingtips now, but they were home brewed and nothing like the output of your products.

--Ron

Hi Ron

I'm 99% sure there's no issue with HW tanks as they are located right up next to the spar. The Seven Stars lights have heatsink pins that extend back 90mm/~3.5" behind the typical mounting plate (W-00017 is for the RV-10/14 and is in pretty much the same location as the Duckworks equivalent) or the light's circuit board.



Hoping that someone who has been there done that already will chime in!

PS: For a tail dragger you'll want to get the Tail Dragger Max light instead.

 

[Notso]

I've got the Aero LEDs EVO IV landing lights in my leading edge mounts on my RV-8. One wing light is essentially pointing straight ahead and the other side is slightly angled down for Taxi. I love them and they really illuminate the runway nicely on short final.

 

[bakercdb]

Here’s a comparison of three light source types that I did some years back.
1. Aero LEDs Microsun LED light. (Left)
2. 50w HID MR16 bulb and ballast sourced direct from China via Alibaba 5+ years ago. Mounted in compact main (retract) gear light housing (center)
3. 75w Halogen MR16, also in the compact housing (right)

I ended up with the Microsuns in the wingtips and the 50W HID on the gear legs (retract plastic plane) .It's a great combination. The HID gear lights spray a lot of light everywhere, so great for pitch changes during landing and taxi at dark and unfamiliar airports. There are obviously more LED choices today. The halogen is pretty feeble in comparison given the current consumption.

 

[bjdecker]

From the book of Aviation - Lighting 1:1

"In the beginning, the ramp and runway was dark, and without form. GE said 'Let there be light' and there was Light in the form of a 4509. And GE saw the 4509 and blessed it because it was good."

[break]

I am using WAT (nee Whelen) Parmetheus G3 in Taxi and Landing configuration -- PAR36 form factor bulbs in the wing leading edge - Duckworks "round" mounting. Garmin G3X/GAD 27 provides the lighting controls (On/Off/WigWag).

 

[RV6-KPTW]

Anybody go with the AeroSun VXi Wingtip light kit?

 

[Dustyone]

Anybody go with the AeroSun VXi Wingtip light kit?

Not suitable if you want what the OP asked for.
Landing light comparision,

Per side
Flyleds Seven Star.... : 588,000 candela
Aveo Vegas Zip Tips.................: 206,000 candela
Aeroleds 100W Sunspot......... : 200,000 candela +
AeroSun VXi...............................: 150,000 candela
Aeroled EVO IV..........................: 150,000 candela
WAT Parmetheus G3 ...............: 140,000 candela
Aeroleds Microsun...................: 15,000 candela

Flyleds are the best bang for bucks in Experimental Aviation with amazing customer service.

 

[Webb]

What the heck. Replace the wingtip lights with Flyleds nav/strobe lights. Install the 7 Stars in the leading edges. You’ll think it’s daylight when coming in to land.

 

[Italiancowboy]

HID MR16 bulbs in the wingtips have worked great since original construction. Even got "What the heck are those?" From a couple of tower controllers. I have one aimed more for landing and one aimed more for taxi but they still overlap a lot which is good. Full disclosure. I had radio noise until I put a grounded aluminum foil faraday box around the ballasts. Silent after that.

Bill, what Watt did you use with your HID 16MR ?

 

[woxofswa]

If you want a VFR landing on the darkest nights, go with Flyleds Seven Star.
An obscene amount of light.

Per side
Flyleds Seven Star................ : 588,000 candela
Aveo Vegas Zip Tips.................: 206,000 candela
Aeroleds 100W Sunspot......... : 200,000 candela +
AeroSun VXi...............................: 150,000 candela
Aeroled EVO IV..........................: 150,000 candela
WAT Parmetheus G3 ...............: 140,000 candela
Aeroleds Microsun...................: 15,000 candela

Flyleds are the best bang for bucks in Experimental Aviation with amazing customer service.

For installation, my preferred option these days is to use the RV-14 cut out Template for the wing and the RV-14 mounting bracket and lens.Paul has the details on his FlyLed's website.

The Dremel with a right angle attachment makes it easy to do a neat cut even on a painted wing.
Use the RV-14 mounts and touch up the rivets.

View attachment 110208

 

[woxofswa]

For reference, a Boeing airliner bulb is 150k candela.

 

[rzbill]

Bill, what Watt did you use with your HID 16MR ?

They were offroad kits from Rigid Industries rated at 50W each. As mentioned in my PM, I had to custom fabricate some aimable wingtip bulb holders and after some debugging, wrap the ballasts in aluminum foil and ground it to sucessfully stop some radio noise.
Good enough to burn the paint off a Volvo at 50 yards. Lol.