Northern Ireland Aviation Enthusiast's Forum

General Aviation Discussion => General Aviation Discussion => Topic started by: theflyingcello on October 15, 2016, 11:15:03 PM

Title: A little light observation!
Post by: theflyingcello on October 15, 2016, 11:15:03 PM

So I flew out to Gatwick with FR on Wednesday, back the same day, and both flights were on EI-FRF. This is an April 2016 delivery, complete with the Boeing Signature Interior, which is very nice (except for the very hard seats, but I'm guessing that's more FR than Boeing).


Anyway, when boarding, I noticed the landing lights embedded in the root of the leading edge. And they were different...what looked like an array of LEDs.


Fast forward to this evening, and an aircraft with very bright 'ultra-white' lighting was heading into BFS. A quick check on the web confirmed it was FR1137, operated by EI-FRF. Added to the landing lights, the strobes also seemed to be much sharper in intensity and on-off cycle...so again, likely LEDs.


Just trivia I know, but (for now) a way to spot a new 737 by night!


I don't think I've seen an Airbii with LEDs to date, although I think the 787 also features them.

Title: Re: A little light observation!
Post by: introducingmike on October 16, 2016, 12:11:08 AM

Also noticed the bright lights of a Ryanair just after 7 tonight when looking for photos of the ISS tonight, normally wouldn't notice an aircraft on approach to Belfast from my house!

Title: Re: A little light observation!
Post by: Sneaky_Nikon on October 16, 2016, 12:22:54 PM

I remember when BA introduced their 757s you could ID them as type in total darkness by the lights.  Can't even define what it was about them TBH, just different from everything else.

Title: Re: A little light observation!
Post by: Angry Turnip on October 16, 2016, 01:35:32 PM

LED lights seem to becoming more common now,and on vehicles as well,especially lorries and buses.
Apparently they use much less power than bulbs,and are more reliable.

Title: Re: A little light observation!
Post by: smudge on October 16, 2016, 01:41:20 PM

The Smudges have been gradually installing LED bulbs in the house as the old CFL bulbs expire.  Their light output is excellent and they run very cool but in six months we've already had three ( out of about 20 ) fail which is disappointing.

Apparently the main failure is in the electrical circuits, rather than the LED elements themselves, but that's not much consolation.

Title: Re: A little light observation!
Post by: acw347 on October 16, 2016, 02:03:27 PM

All new Robinson helicopters have LED strobes as standard they definitely are much brighter