Halleffect
Active Member
Van's new carbon fiber wingtips & AeroLEDs VXi
Has anyone pulled the trigger on this new setup?
Has anyone pulled the trigger on this new setup?
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I am planning on it. I just got back from Oshgosh. I believe as long as your order by August 14th you save about 10%. It was just released before the show and the folks at the show asked me to place the order when I got home.
Has anyone pulled the trigger on this new setup?
Yes. No mention of whether it has or needs a power supply. Good point about the Archer antenna.Does the $3K+ include the wingtips as well as light system? Dues that also include the power supply? If you get those CF wingtips I would not count on the Archer style VOR antenna to work for those that want to install them.
I ordered the -14 wing kit with AeroLEDs in February, set to crate soon, and was under the impression the wingtips were included. Is that incorrect? This topic is an additional option and cost?
Good catch. Very good catch. Carbon fiber is conductive and will probably block the VOR/ILS signals. If they offer fiberglass, and you want antennas in your wingtips, go with fiberglass, which they say will be offered. But also pay attention to the Archer antenna wiring instructions. May not be feasible to wire the lights as instructed. And I don't know about the room inside the tip, or how to attach the Archer antenna inside the tip. I would ask AeroLeds to make a written promise that it will work, or I would look for a cat whisker, dual blade, or (shudder) towel bar alternative for the nav antenna.If you get those CF wingtips I would not count on the Archer style VOR antenna to work for those that want to install them.
Soon as in before the 15% discount expires mid-August? The word "adhesive" makes me nervous, because it makes me wonder about wingtip removability.The lights are installed into the wingtips by the builder using an adhesive like Sikaflex and fasteners.
Available to order for RV-7/8/10/14. We will share additional details soon.
Does anyone know if the carbon fiber version of these wingtips will be finish quality? In other words, can you sand and clearcoat the tips and have them look like, say an Aerosport instrument panel?
The wingtips are coated during the manufacturing process, and so the carbon fiber is not visible. The layup is not done in a way that wouldn't appear as a "pretty" pattern if it was clear-coated, plus it would be a heavier finished part and substantially more costly to provide a clear-coat, showroom finish version. Pinhole filling material is first sprayed in the mold, and the cloth is laid up to be as light as possible.
The wingtips are coated during the manufacturing process, and so the carbon fiber is not visible. The layup is not done in a way that wouldn't appear as a "pretty" pattern if it was clear-coated, plus it would be a heavier finished part and substantially more costly to provide a clear-coat, showroom finish version. Pinhole filling material is first sprayed in the mold, and the cloth is laid up to be as light as possible.
Thanks Greg. I have delayed going to paint for these wingtips, but it sounds like they might not actually ship Q1 2023 anyway - so I’ll probably just keep the tips and Aerosun VX lights I already have.
I just ordered my wing kit and I'd like to get these new VXi wing tips. I'd prefer to order the carbon fiber version but if I do, is there an alternative way to mount a VOR antenna other than the wing tips that isn't a "hack"? I don't plan to do any VOR navigation but I'd like my plane to be equipped for it.
Finally, somebody mentioned in a different thread that the standard wing leading edge had a cut out for lights that wouldn't be necessary with these VXi wing tip lights. If that's the case, does Vans offer a leading edge wing skin without the cutouts?
Sorry for the rookie questions but I'm a first time builder and don't even know enough to figure out what questions to ask. Thanks for your help and understanding.
I placed an order for the carbon fiber wingtips and integrated VXi lights in Aug 2022 and have been patiently waiting. After looking in the store today, I see they are now listed as No Longer Available. So I suspect these are a casuality of the bankruptcy situation. Guess I'm going over to Aveo for their Zip Tips now as I specified no landing light hole in my leading edge and deleted the wingtips from my original wing order.
https://store.vansaircraft.com/ln-aerosun-wingtips-10-14-cf.html