Installing Aircraft Lights

Most builders, at some point during construction, will install either position, recognition, landing/taxi lights and or an anti collision strobe light on their aircraft.

Some do not, and if you are flying day VFR only, I would recommend to install at least a red tail strobe or wingtip strobe lights as a bare minimum. To see and be seen is the credo, especially in circumstances where visibility is reduced and in high traffic situations around airports and in training areas, where instructors are busy with students.

Several manufacturers are selling LED position and landing lights (including LED strobes too), these are very reliable with a long service life, probably longer than the aircraft. Current draw is much less resulting in thinner cables and there is a weight savings too because the high voltage unit is no longer necessary.

On this page we show you were navigation and strobe lights should be installed to be legal.

Where to install them

As aircraft must have an approved anti-collision light and position light system for flight during darkness, authorities have come up with recommendations to which the system must comply. Whelen has made a fine document which goes into great detail.

Just print it out, or even save it for future reference.