Lights required for night flight?

[Martyfeehan]

I'm working on the lights for my Wag Aero 2+2 and am trying to understand the requirements for night flight. I will have a White position light on the lower part of the rudder; upper fuselage mounted White strobe, and Red and Green position lights on the wing tips. I am also mounting a landing light ine each wing tip. Will this give me proper lighting for night flight? Also, the used lights I picked up have blue rather than green lenses; Are these ok to use?

Thanks,
Marty

[FlyingRon]

Landing lights are not required unless you're in a for hire operation, which you won't be on an experimental. You can install them if you like. All you need are the three navigation (red left wing, green right wing, white tail). The requirements for anticollision lights (beacons, strobes) are written into the certification rules so they don't apply to homebuilts, though it might not be a bad idea to have them.

Your right position light must be AVIATION GREEN. Blue will NOT cut it. However, check it while it's illuminated. Sometimes the lenses don't really show their true color when they're not lit.

[Marc Zeitlin]

Landing lights are not required unless you're in a for hire operation, which you won't be on an experimental. You can install them if you like.

That is correct. A good set of landing lights can be very useful, required or not.

All you need are the three navigation (red left wing, green right wing, white tail). The requirements for anticollision lights (beacons, strobes) are written into the certification rules so they don't apply to homebuilts, though it might not be a bad idea to have them.

This is NOT correct. 91.205(c)(3) explicitly calls for an anti-collision lighting system (which strobes/beacons are), and the current Op-Limits for EAB aircraft explicitly states that the aircraft must be equipped per 91.205 for night or IFR flight.

So strobes/beacons are absolutely required if your OL's state 91.205 compliance is necessary.

Your right position light must be AVIATION GREEN. Blue will NOT cut it. However, check it while it's illuminated. Sometimes the lenses don't really show their true color when they're not lit.

That is correct.

Next, since "APPROVED" position lights are required per 91.205, you'll need to go read up on FAR 23.1385 - 23.1397, where position light requirements are defined, and then 23.1401 where the anti-collision lighting requirements are defined.

You will need to mount the lights so that they have exposure in the directions required by these FAR's. If you purchase approved lights, they will have the correct colors and intensities - it will just be the mounting position that will be up to you to determine.

Marty - Your description of strobe mounting is insufficient - the strobe only on the top of the fuselage does NOT meet the requirements for vertical distribution, since it cannot be viewed from below the aircraft. Depending upon exactly where on the wingtips and tail you mount the position lights, you MAY be in compliance for the POS lights.

[FlyingRon]

Marc is right, of course. I don't know what I was thinking when I wrote the part about the anticollision light.

[Marc Zeitlin]

?.. I don't know what I was thinking ...

If I had a nickel from every time I've said that :-).

[Martyfeehan]

Ok, thanks guys for the input; I have some reading to do. I'll check out the "blue" to see if it's really green. As for strobes; I bought a really nice bright LED strobe that I can mount on top of the fuselage and I'll get a second one and mount it on the belly. So two strobes, rear rudder white, red and green position lights should work? I am installing landing lights, one each wing. I bought LED lights to use for landing lights that fit standard housings and are very bright. Does this sound ok?????

I do have a build web site; it's at www.marty2plus2.com

Thanks,
Marty

[martymayes]

I'm working on the lights for my Wag Aero 2+2 and am trying to understand the requirements for night flight. I will have a White position light on the lower part of the rudder; upper fuselage mounted White strobe, and Red and Green position lights on the wing tips. I am also mounting a landing light ine each wing tip. Will this give me proper lighting for night flight? Also, the used lights I picked up have blue rather than green lenses; Are these ok to use?

Thanks,
Marty

There is a new interpretation letter out about lighting for night flying and experimental aircraft. I can't attach it from this computer but I'll email it to you when I get home.
There are no "pre-approved" lighting options. My suggestions is just equip the airplane as you think necessary to comply with 91.205 and go for it.

BTW, a green lens sometimes looks blue when not illuminated. Is that what you are referring too?

[skyfixer8]

Marty, If you have an Aircraft Spruce catalog, go to the Whelen section. There is a pictorial chart that shows how a good lighting system should be installed and where it needs to be visible from. I went a few rounds with an "inspector" until I dug out the chart listed above.

[cacctus]

I know this is an old thread, but it seems to be filled with all sorts of misinformation. According to EAA, the following is correct:
Am I required to have anti-collision lights on my homebuilt?
No, if you are only going to using your aircraft for day, VFR flight. FAR 91.205 lists the instrument and equipment requirements for standard category aircraft. This FAR does not apply to Experimental-Amateur Built aircraft.
If you intend to use your aircraft for either night VFR or IFR flight, you will have to comply with the requirements of FAR 91.205 because the operating limitations you receive as a part of your airworthiness certificate will include the following language:
“After completion of phase I flight testing, unless appropriately equipped for night and/or instrument flight in accordance with § 91.205, this aircraft is to be operated under VFR, day only.”