How Many Rotorheads...
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 179
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From: Asia
Re: How Many Rotorheads...
Don’t forget the Rotorhead who will be keen to know whether the green or red navigation light (position filament) fails more often and whether there is any variation in that statistic for helicopters operating in the southern hemisphere. Not to mention whether American or European manufacturers' machines are more at risk of suffering this failure.
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 361
Likes: 10
From: UK
Re: How Many Rotorheads...
............I was driving past Bude on Saturday and I saw a yellow nav light hovering over the cliff practicing with a Coastguard team. My friend told me the best nav lights were painted grey and red, should I join them ?
Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 364
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From: Just over there....no there.
Re: How Many Rotorheads...
This thread is one of the reasons I joined Pprune in the first place..has any body mentioned if the nav light is green or red? Colour blindness issue here somewhere 
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 1,032
Likes: 5
From: Under the clag EGKA
Re: How Many Rotorheads...
When I go for my Nav Light qualification will my logged hours of Lav Light changing be taken into account? Is it hour for hour? Will it have to be Lav Light changer in charge (LLCIC) hours? How many landing lights will I have to change to maintain competency in a twenty four month period under JAR?
Joined: Jul 2001
Posts: 420
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From: Florida
Re: How Many Rotorheads...
What happens if sometimes it works and sometimes it doesn't? Does this warrant changing it, or repairing the one currently in use?
If it does need replacing after how many hours can a solo student do it, and is it subject to an SFAR?
If it does need replacing after how many hours can a solo student do it, and is it subject to an SFAR?
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 90
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From: Scandinavia
Re: How Many Rotorheads...
There should be at least 2 posts saying that "PPRuNe is open for all people, don't debate it here or the authorities - or even worse - journos will find out that pilots actually changes the lights."
Cheers!
/2beers
Cheers!
/2beers
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 179
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From: Asia
Re: How Many Rotorheads...
And then there is the Rotorhead who will inform us that…
“Pedantic Helicopters reported another multiple position light failure today. This is the third occurrence in a week when it has been reported that all three filaments failed simultaneously.
After the Engineering Department reported yet again that there was ‘no fault found’ the company’s Director - Safety has agreed to look into the possibility that it is a Human Factors problem. Rumour has it that the company Check List calls for ‘Navigation Lights – ON’ prior to start up however it is understood that the switch on this type of helicopter is actually labeled ‘Position Lights’.
Following a meeting with the Chief Pilot it has been agreed that the recently recruited young pilot in question will undergo a retraining programme; just as soon as his bruises have healed and he is able to sit down again.”
“Pedantic Helicopters reported another multiple position light failure today. This is the third occurrence in a week when it has been reported that all three filaments failed simultaneously.
After the Engineering Department reported yet again that there was ‘no fault found’ the company’s Director - Safety has agreed to look into the possibility that it is a Human Factors problem. Rumour has it that the company Check List calls for ‘Navigation Lights – ON’ prior to start up however it is understood that the switch on this type of helicopter is actually labeled ‘Position Lights’.
Following a meeting with the Chief Pilot it has been agreed that the recently recruited young pilot in question will undergo a retraining programme; just as soon as his bruises have healed and he is able to sit down again.”
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 369
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From: Europe trying to enjoy retirement “YES”
Re: How Many Rotorheads...
I have just been informed by the French Airworthiness Authorities that as the subject of Nav Light maintenance and operation has such an important airworthiness’ implication that the term Nav Light (Feu de Navigation) will no longer be the approved wording as this can cause confusion in identification of the lights in question. In future the only accepted wording will be Feu de Position. This change of wording and the identification of the far reaching airworthiness implications has so alarmed the authority that with immediate effect all commercial pilots both fixed and rotary must undergo training in the operation and maintenance of this system. This training is to include simulator exercises in operation and emergency procedures to be carried out in the event of system failure. All system failures must be now reported to the authority within 24 hours, the report is to include aircraft type, details of the failure and the actions taken to rectify the failure. A data base will be available to allow operators and pilots to identify problem areas.
outhouse
outhouse
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 4
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From: UK
Re: How Many Rotorheads...
Vaqueroaero, a light that sometimes works and sometimes doesn't is called a strobe! our engineers infrom me it doesn't need changing until the not working period exceeds the working period by >1 hour!!
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 153
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From: UK
Re: How Many Rotorheads...
A little ditty to help you remember what Nav lights are for:-
Red to Red or Green to Green
Keep going straight, all's serene
When Red and Green are seen up front
Full speed ahead and ram the chap
Red to Red or Green to Green
Keep going straight, all's serene
When Red and Green are seen up front
Full speed ahead and ram the chap
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 128
Likes: 0
From: A man of the world
Re: How Many Rotorheads...
I understand the French Aviation Authorities have released further regulations concerning the fitment of replacment Feu de Position. No aircraft registered outside the country of France shall fly within it's airspace unless all Feu de Pos have been fitted within the constraints of its regulations and signed for in la langue francais. Furthermore, if this work is carried out by a pilot then he shall be in possesion of a french issued licence, suitably endorsed.
Joined: Jul 2001
Posts: 1,383
Likes: 1
From: ...in view of the 'Southern Cross' ...
Re: How Many Rotorheads...
mmmm... You forget that the pilot carrying out the work must not be aged 55 or older because his ability to change the Nav light correctly will be diminished!!!
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 369
Likes: 0
From: Europe trying to enjoy retirement “YES”
Re: How Many Rotorheads...
In a major item on Sky News tonight it was said that the President of the United States would be addressing the nation tonight regarding the seriously worsening political situation after the European Airworthiness Authorities had fully adopted the French mandatory regulations regarding Feu de Position. This action by the European authorities without consultation was an infringement of international liberties it was said. The US Secretary of State has requested a special meeting of the UN Security Council and will be presenting a report received from the Department of Homeland Security on the matter. The immediate sailing of two carrier groups toward the European Mainland was stressed to be just part of the joint maneuvers with NATO forces held on a regular basis.
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 361
Likes: 10
From: UK
Re: How Many Rotorheads...
The Daily Mail reports that the Bush and Cheney family have financial interests in several Nav Light manufacturers and that Iran's reopening of the Nuclear facilities is a front for a secret tungsten wire factory that can affect the export prospects of a coalition wire factory within 45 minutes.
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 219
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From: USA
Re: How Many Rotorheads...
The Halliburten bid to maintain all Nav Lights and Feus de Positions on all helicopters has been let without competition. For $175,000 per aircraft, Halliburtin will assure that all such lights are properly marked as to On or Off, or Not Servicable. The second contract for replacement of these Not Servicable bulbs is being negotiated.
Pilots who refuse to permit Halliburten to approach their bulbs will be duct-taped, sand-bagged and questioned by uniformed civilians, winners of another sole-source contract, "Fingernail extraction of indigenous personnel" but we are not permitted to know more.
Don't worry, you are in good hands.
Pilots who refuse to permit Halliburten to approach their bulbs will be duct-taped, sand-bagged and questioned by uniformed civilians, winners of another sole-source contract, "Fingernail extraction of indigenous personnel" but we are not permitted to know more.
Don't worry, you are in good hands.
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 361
Likes: 10
From: UK
Re: How Many Rotorheads...
Jeez, the situation gets worse.....
Time Magazine reports that Niger has secretly been exporting several consignments of high grade ochre; essential for the manufacture of red polycarbonate, a Venzuelan dye trader trader based in Dubai has just been abducted by six earpiece wearing square jawed western individuals dressed as window cleaners and flown to Diego Garcia in a white N-reg Gulfstream registered to a Langley, VA Zip Code.
OK, so we are in Thread Drift State Mauve, who cares !!!???
Time Magazine reports that Niger has secretly been exporting several consignments of high grade ochre; essential for the manufacture of red polycarbonate, a Venzuelan dye trader trader based in Dubai has just been abducted by six earpiece wearing square jawed western individuals dressed as window cleaners and flown to Diego Garcia in a white N-reg Gulfstream registered to a Langley, VA Zip Code.
OK, so we are in Thread Drift State Mauve, who cares !!!???
There are no limits
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 506
Likes: 2
From: Shrewsbury, England.
Re: How Many Rotorheads...
And the dye used to colour the red polycarbonate - none other than Sudan 1. Highly carcinogenic and all aircraft are grounded until the lamp cover is changed.
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 571
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From: Alderney or Lancashire UK
Re: How Many Rotorheads...
Oh bugger, today I noticed my aft port nav light has blown. Does this mean I'm going to be overrun by hoards of mad Ppruners??? (actually I changed it all by myself - am I banned from the forum now?)
Joined: May 2002
Aviation Qualifications: ATP+Mil
Posts: 18,633
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From: Downeast
Re: How Many Rotorheads...
Well....so long as the Longshoreman's union doesn't catch wind of you taking their work you might be okay...however if they file a grievance with the union...you might be in real trouble. One must be very careful around the Port. If you do not have a quay, you might find yourself with no place to park.