View Full Version : CAR196 and Aircraft Without a Beacon
SB4200
8th Dec 2006, 06:41
I'm must be missing something as it is a common occurence however...
CAR196 ( See here page 368 (http://www.casa.gov.au/download/act_regs/1988.pdf) ) states that an aircraft operating at night or in poor vis must show a flashing red anti-collision light. How is it that aircraft which aren't equipped with such a light (eg: a lot of pipers) can operate at night?
Thanks in advance
Ratshit
8th Dec 2006, 07:26
Don't know that I have seen a lighty that DIDN"T have a beacon! ??
R:cool:
Chimbu chuckles
8th Dec 2006, 08:09
Mine doesn't...it has strobes instead.
SB4200
8th Dec 2006, 08:27
Mine doesn't...it has strobes instead.
And that's exactly my point. There are a lot of aircraft in the same boat (if you will). But where does it say that strobes are an acceptable replacement to a beacon to satisfy the requirements for anti-collision lighting?
4SPOOLED
8th Dec 2006, 10:52
I did my NVFR in a Diamond DA20 that also did not have a rotating red beacon, had position lights and strobes, no beacon :(
I could never find the rule that allows strobes instead of a rotating beacon. Lots of aircraft in Australia have strobes, and no rotating beacon. Do Boeings have them?
I think this rule exists in the US, but I could never find it here.
Just another Australian furphy??? Sometimes things that are not allowed, are allowed.
witwiw
8th Dec 2006, 22:26
knew a LAMEy that apparently found some rules on it. unfortunately he has moved on and i cannot ask him where it was.
It may be a U.S rule as previously mentioned- considering most of the planes flying here have come from there. CASA might say to an owner/operator that the lights required under that rule (if such exists) is ok here but not have anything in the CARs for some reason.
However, getting a beacon on planes without them already fitted i hear would require an engineering order... $$$$$$ :ugh:
Or:
"
(9) It is a defence to a prosecution under subregulation (1A) if CASA directed lighting otherwise than as required by this regulation and the defendant used that lighting."
Maybe they are covered by that paragraph?
And pilots and operators are supposed to know this mysterious stuff?.
They have been "improving" the rules for the last decade or two. Making them more user friendly?
Pimp Daddy
9th Dec 2006, 02:14
Lots of aircraft in Australia have strobes, and no rotating beacon. Do Boeings have them?
Boeings do.
Dashs don't, well they do and don't - have red beacon and white strobes, but they are off the same 3 position switch - RED/OFF/WHITE - so you can't have them both on at the same time.
VH-XXX
9th Dec 2006, 02:20
I can definitely confirm that only strobes are required for EXPERIMENTAL aircraft, but still thought they were required for full rego....
I remember finding an instrument saying that Australian Built Experimental Aircraft don't require a red beacon and forwarding it to the SAAA at the time.
No idea on full rego... someone must know...
4SPOOLED
9th Dec 2006, 07:13
I can definitely confirm that only strobes are required for EXPERIMENTAL aircraft, but still thought they were required for full rego....
I remember finding an instrument saying that Australian Built Experimental Aircraft don't require a red beacon and forwarding it to the SAAA at the time.
No idea on full rego... someone must know...
I will confirm that DA20's are not experimental aircraft and have Night VFR endorsed on the MR....
Maybe an oversight from CASA?
the wizard of auz
9th Dec 2006, 07:27
Might just be a word interpretation problem. In marine use for channel markers, you steer between the strobing beacon. isn't a beacon just a light that identifies something?. regardless of whether its rotating or strobing?.
Harry Cooper
9th Dec 2006, 23:07
I don't think the US Regs make any distinction between a beacon or strobes. The normal 3 nav lights are reqd i.e Red, Green and white but only an anti collision lighting system is required beyond that. That just has to meet field of view, flashing and intensity requirements and they can either be red or white.
The CASA regs do state that "unless CASA otherwise directs". Maybe if the aircraft is certified to Part 23 in the States, CASA just bypasses that reg?
To install a beacon "aftermarket" would involve getting an Engineering Order then I would think also a re-weigh of the aircraft. Beacon units can be quite heavy and could change the aircraft empty c.g position quite significantly depending on where it is located.
Richo
10th Dec 2006, 07:02
Asked the same question some years ago of a LAME.
He pointed me to the 100 series (airworthiness and enginnering) CAO's. The answer was there. I don't know if this series still exists with all the changes, but I will have a look.
From memory, and probably not entirely correct, :
You do not require a red rotating beacon, if the manafacturer stipulates another type of approved light. I.e. Cessna,s come out of the factory with a red rotating/flashing beacon. But they (Cessna) allow the fitting of a white flashing (strobe) type light as a replacement. Many newer aircraft come out of the factory with this type of light fitted now.
Basicaly it is down to what approved types can be fitted and which the manafacturer has included in a suppliment or the instalation is approved by CASA under an EO.
richo
rrekn
16th Mar 2016, 04:13
Have a look at CASA Instrument 880/99 which covers the use of a white beacon. It still needs to be visible in the same arc.
https://www.legislation.gov.au/Details/F2005B02746