>Heads-up, J C Whitney has a mini xenon strobe rated at 1,000,000 cp,
>12V,
>
>1/2 amp. 60 fpm, lexan lens, weatherproof housing, 1000 hr. life.
>
>I think this would qualify for aircraft use if above is true.
>
>$64.95. interesting?
Conventional wisdom suggests that we avoid hassles and just go
buy the TSO/PMA/STC item . . . HOWEVER, it just may be that
your local bearer of government holy water would consent to
the needed sprinkle if:
Borrow a photo flash light meter from a friendly photographer.
My personal favorite is the Gossen Luna Pro. Set up to measure
flash output in the direct radiation mode (little white plastic
window closed).
Find a few airplanes with high-dollar, already blessed
strobes on them and make some measurements using the hand held
flash meter. Use a yardstick to hold uniform distance from the
strobe head and make 8 measurments on the cardinal compass points
in the horizontal plane. Repeat for 30 and sixty degrees above
and below horizontal.
Get some data on several installed, certified systems.
Do the same thing with your proposed bootleg strobe. The lightmeter
readings should be equal to or greater than those for the certified
installations.
Gross calibration of the lightmeter is not an issue . . . you're
using it to compare one product with several others . . . we're
looking only for readings equal-to-or-greater.
When it comes time to sell your proposal to the cognizant
authority, you'll have DATA to justify your proposition that the
substitute strobe meets the spirit and intent of the rules
and is therefore suited for use on an amateur built airplane.
Yes, some of you may be anticipating some questions that could
require some additional effort but give this a try for the
first pass. If push comes to shove, I'll help with more detailed
and tighter controls on the tests . . . but if your inspector
is the least bit inclinded to favor good logic, this first pass
I've suggeseted may be enough . . .
Bob . . .
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