Night flying light options

[jim_222]

Hello everybody.

 

I am looking into getting something that will be more convenient for my night flights, compared to the bulky (for the intended task, that is) flashlights that I currently have, and unsuccessfully try to use.

 

I am debating between a headlamp (like the petzl TakTikka) and the Red Glovelite.

 

Has anybody used any of these? Any preferences or words of wisdom?

[Spike]

 

3 green mic lite to attached to boom below microphone.

 

http://app.meritapparel.com/cf.inventory.php?action=showinvsummary&selcatid=helmets&selcatidname=storecatid&heading=Merit%20Apparel%20Helmets&pagetitle=Merit%20Apparel%20Helmets&metakey=Merit%20Apparel%20Helmets&metadesc=Merit%20Apparel%20Helmets&limitlevel=20

 

[SBuzzkill]

I got some 550 cord and made a necklace out of my flashlight. Works great.

[nightsta1ker]

What spike said. Works like a charm. It shines where you turn your head, and you can turn it on and off hands free. Surprisingly bright for a couple of little LEDs.

 

You can also get fingertip lights. And both styles come in multiple colors, white, red, or green/NVG.

 

http://www.helicopterhelmet.com/LIP-FINGER-LIGHTS_c_59.html

Edited June 29, 2012 by nightsta1ker

[eagle5]

I've got one of those liplites. Its awesome!

[JDHelicopterPilot]

I agree. Use a lip light and/or a finger light. I have both. I then use a bright LED flashlight (2 AA batt. size) for my preflight and walk arounds.

[ridethisbike]

I agree, get the mic light. I have a head lamp, and even though there are two intensities on the white light, its way bright and will kill your night vision. It has a red light as well, but I still have to cycle through the white to turn it off.

 

I think I'm going to color in the white light on the head lamp... lol

[Retreating Brain Stall]

Got lip light and love it and those finger lights are annoying but I use it too. But most of all I usually use the aircraft map light when not at the controls.

[Wally]

Lip light. Lip light!

I seldom use the white, it's too bright, and prefer the green to the red LED. If you have a choice, get the 3-AA version.

I don't know anybody who doesn't carry something in the MiniMag size on their person, vey handy. It's geeky as heck, but somebody gave me a ball cap with LEDs in the bill that I use to preflight. Since then, I haven't had my big-buck variable pocket tactical out of the holster.

The only time I even touch the 2-D required by regs is on the preflight check of operation.

[eagle5]

The only time I even touch the 2-D required by regs is on the preflight check of operation.

 

Which reg requires a 2-D flashlight?

[jimbo2181]

It's a 135 requirement. 135.159 f (3)

 

(3) A flashlight having at least two size “D” cells or equivalent.

[Gomer Pylot]

Equivalent is the operative word. Anything that will produce the same lumens for the same time meets the requirements. And the requirement was written when carbon-zinc cells were in use, and alkaline had never been heard of. Pretty much any LED flashlight will work. I carry an Inova flashlight, powered by CR-123 cells, in a pocket of my flightsuit that it fits into, and while I've tried the liplights, I don't like them much. They're OK, but only work in the cockpit, and worthless for anything outside, when you don't have your headset or helmet on. I prefer headlamps if I can wear a headset, because they also work great for preflight/walkarounds in the dark. I keep a couple of small LED lights velcro'd to my helmet, and while liplights are more convenient, they are far cheaper,, and work about as well. I only use them for starts most of the time anyway. One of my fears is having the battery start to die during the start, and not being able to monitor the TOT, so I always use a couple of external lights to make sure things don't go dark on me at the wrong time. One thing I'm never short on is lights at night. In fact, I have far too many flashlights and other types of lights, but in my view, better too many than too few.

[nightsta1ker]

Equivalent is the operative word. Anything that will produce the same lumens for the same time meets the requirements. And the requirement was written when carbon-zinc cells were in use, and alkaline had never been heard of. Pretty much any LED flashlight will work. I carry an Inova flashlight, powered by CR-123 cells, in a pocket of my flightsuit that it fits into, and while I've tried the liplights, I don't like them much. They're OK, but only work in the cockpit, and worthless for anything outside, when you don't have your headset or helmet on. I prefer headlamps if I can wear a headset, because they also work great for preflight/walkarounds in the dark. I keep a couple of small LED lights velcro'd to my helmet, and while liplights are more convenient, they are far cheaper,, and work about as well. I only use them for starts most of the time anyway. One of my fears is having the battery start to die during the start, and not being able to monitor the TOT, so I always use a couple of external lights to make sure things don't go dark on me at the wrong time. One thing I'm never short on is lights at night. In fact, I have far too many flashlights and other types of lights, but in my view, better too many than too few.

 

I agree, you need a good white flashlight on board for night operations for preflight and other outside the cockpit operations. I was assuming we were talking about alternatives for keeping clutter down and hands free for flying. The lip light is great for that.

[Chitty777]

I've never really liked the lip-light. It's nice but I feel it lacking at some points. I typically buy one of these and clip it on me somewhere to use. It's inexpensive and has a powerful light on it.

 

http://www.inovalight.com/microlight/

[Gomer Pylot]

That's what I Velcro to my helmet, one on each side. Most of our med crews use them too. As I said, my real preference is for a headlight that uses an elastic band around my head, which works for preflight as well as in the cockpit, but they don't work very well on a helmet.

[SBuzzkill]

I've dropped mine down around my neck when I put on my helmet. It worked but every headlamp I've had has been too bright to use while flying. I had it there mostly for emergencies and used the aircraft light instead.

Edited July 2, 2012 by SBuzzkill