Gomer Pylut:
Oh, and PF1, some helicopters can't be started with the nav lights on. On the S76, they don't work until you have at least one engine running. Don't blame me, I didn't design the electrical system on the thing.
Really! How do you check them on preflight to make sure they're all working? A very strange set-up if you ask me! Is that correct? Calling Dr. Nick!
No matter. The hazard that helicopters pose is when their rotors are turning. As long as you can get those POS lights on before you release the rotor brake, it's all good. I think that's what the FAA intended anyway.
Thomas coupling indignantly asks:
Why don't pilots keep their landing lights on ALL THE TIME?
Well...to keep from having them burn out when you really need them? Like when
landing at night perhaps?
Or maybe because the landing light electrical circuits were not designed to be used continuously, as the mechs have told me about the Bell 206? Mechs who were, by the by, pissed at having to replace burnt wiring in the nose from pilots who left the landing lights on all the time...
I used to own a personal airplane with two "landing" lights. I kept one on nearly all the time. Then I sold that plane and bought one with only a single landing light. My home aerodrome is a private field with poorly-maintained runway lights; a black hole at night. I have had the distinct displeasure of arriving at night, turning the landing light on and having it go
Pop! and then having to land with no light. Greaaaaaaaat.
Head Turner asked:
1. Do you agree that white stobes are the most effective warning light? This should be obvious, yes.
2. Do you agree that white strobe lights used in dispersals would damage the eyesight of marshallers and engineers and that a switchable strobe to 'red' would be an adequate warning light? I thought strobes were not to be used on the ground? One red anti-collision light/strobe ain't gonna blind anybody.
3. Do you agree that nav lights are useless during the day and of only of benefit at night, in flight and for marking parked helicopters? Absolutely true.
4. Do you agree that landing lights should be used at pilots discretion, but when approaching landing sites/airports should be used to aid other aircraft and air traffic controlles. Agreed,
unless the a/c is equipped with other recognition-type landing lights that are designed to be left on all the time.
5. Do you agree that red rotating beacons/ anti col lights are ineffective during daylight? Anyone who thinks differently is probably hallucinating.