Hi Ed, All true. My apologies to Fred & all if my email came across too critically of his preference.
Here are some things I did not share the first time; I've seen numerous in wing installations with the lights on only one side, which as you pointed out fails to provide key visual cues for relative motion and depth. A major issue for me personally is that some of the 'in wing' installations I've seen would NOT meet my personal standards in terms of fit & quality, particularly given their leading edge placement. The wings on my Coupe are completely flush riveted and have flush mounted inspection panels (rare). In any case I would be loathe to cut my (or any) Coupes' wings to make way for a less than perfect installation on the leading edge of one or both wings. While probably a minor issue, doing so could result in mildly disturbed air flow over that section of the wing, even if it gains a couple of MPH over the landing gear lights. Some Cessna's I've flown in have in wing lights that affect their stall characteristics. I know the Coupe doesn't stall however it's indicative of uneven or disturbed air flow over the wing. Anyway, the Coupes' landing gear is already relatively 'dirty' / draggy. Many wing mounted lights also seem to have crazed or worn lenses (less than ideal maintenance & functionality). The landing gear mounted lights are less invasive and have a classic look however; that's totally subjective on my part. One drawback I've noticed to the landing gear lights is that IF the anti-glare shields / fairings are not installed there can be significant glare off of the back of the prop during night flight (even if the prop is painted black). IF I were rebuilding the wings, AND / OR had complete confidence in an exceptionally high quality dual wing installation and some extra $ to spend up front, then I'd be inclined to select the in wing lights as Fred suggested. Otherwise I'd stay with the landing gear lights. I use the newer type quartz lights, which last MUCH longer than the older / cheaper style lights and are well worth the few extra $. Again these are just my preferences. Best regards, Dan Hall 1947 415CD N3968H @ CNO ----- Original Message ----- From: "Ed Burkhead" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> To: "efy" <[email protected]> Sent: Tuesday, December 09, 2008 4:10 AM Subject: RE: [ercoupe-flyin] Landing Light > > Dan, > > You are right on your points. > > I think Fred's point was, if you are going to add landing lights to a > Coupe > that doesn't have one, you get better speed with lights embedded in the > wing > than with the lights on the landing gears. > > The downside of installing landing lights in the wing(s) is the labor, > fuss > and cost. > > I've seen Coupes with the gear leg lights be really, really visible > approaching an airport. We could see turns instantly. The same goes > extra > if you have one light in each wing. Putting lights only in one wing loses > that bank visibility. > > Ed > > > > ------------------------------------ > > Yahoo! Groups Links > > > -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- No virus found in this incoming message. Checked by AVG - http://www.avg.com Version: 8.0.176 / Virus Database: 270.9.15/1838 - Release Date: 12/8/2008 6:16 PM
