Aero-Tips!

A good pilot is always learning -- how many times have you heard this old standard throughout your flying career? There is no truer statement in all of flying (well, with the possible exception of "there are no old, bold pilots.") It's part of what makes aviation so exciting for all of us... just when you think you've seen it all, along comes a scenario you've never imagined.

Aero-News has called upon the expertise of Thomas P. Turner, master CFI and all-around-good-guy, to bring our readers -- and us -- daily tips to improve our skills as aviators, and as representatives of the flying community. Some of them, you may have heard before... but for each of us, there will also be something we might never have considered before, or something that didn't "stick" the way it should have the first time we memorized it for the practical test.

It is our unabashed goal that "Aero-Tips" will help our readers become better, safer pilots -- as well as introducing our ground-bound readers to the concepts and principles that keep those strange aluminum-and-composite contraptions in the air... and allow them to soar magnificently through it.

Look for our daily Aero-Tips segments, coming each day to you through the Aero-News Network. Suggestions for future Aero-Tips are always welcome, as are additions or discussion of each day's tips. Remember... when it comes to being better pilots, we're all in this together.

Aero-Tips 05.08.06

Operation Lights On is a voluntary program encouraging pilots to turn on their landing lights during takeoff; when operating below 10,000 feet (day or night), especially when within 10 nautical miles of an airport; and in conditions of reduced visibility. The idea is to make it easier for pilots to see other aircraft, enhancing the ability to see and avoid each other. 

Operation Lights On also encourages use of landing lights in areas when you might expect flocks of birds, such as coastal areas or near landfills. It’s thought that bird strikes will be fewer if the birds see airplanes more readily.

Avoiding burnout

Aircraft manufacturer's recommendations for operation of landing lights and electrical systems should be observed. Landing lights take a lot of power; in some airplanes, especially smaller or older types, the electrical system is relatively weak and cannot keep up with the load.

Landing light bulbs are notoriously expensive. Several schemes have been promoted to extend bulb life, including:

• Shock absorption. Mounting a soft gasket or even spring-mounting landing light bulbs, so hot filaments are not jostled around as much.
• Realigning the bulb. Some think that bulbs mounted traditionally, with the filament horizontal, exposes the filament to wild stretching movements in turbulence and on landing. Turning the bulb 90 degrees, so the filament is vertical, makes these bounces flex the filament like a spring instead of stretching it when its hot.
• Moving the landing light. It’s thought that mounting a landing light on the engine cowling makes it more likely to burn out early from vibration. That’s one reason why Cessnas, since production resumed in the 1990s, have the landing light in the less-than-optimal (for ground illumination) wing leading edge.

Flashing the light. Flashing the landing light, such as with the Pulselite™ system, permits short periods of cooling between bursts of light, with an overall lower bulb temperature. (Note: flashing also makes the light far more visible from a distance).

Any of the above may or may not increase a particular light bulb’s longevity. Remember that most modifications require FAA approval.

Aero-tip of the day: Turn on landing lights on in poor visibility, at low altitude and/or in the vicinity of airports to improve your chances to see and be seen. Although turning on aircraft lights does enhance the see-and-avoid concept, don’t become complacent about keeping a sharp lookout for other aircraft. Not all aircraft are equipped with lights and many pilots may not have their lights turned on.

FMI: Aero-Tips