It is reported that AeroLED sponsored a media lunch today at
AirVenture 2009 to introduce their new line of high performance LED
lighting solutions. Based on super-bright LED technology, which is fully
replaceable with original lighting systems, pronounced “aerolead” the
company produces retrofit and OEM lighting options.
Nate Calvin of AeroLED reported the company’s product is a direct
replacement for existing incandescent, or “legacy systems” products now
in the field, including a replacement for the GE 4509 landing light
bulb. Components include options for replacement of navigation and
strobe units as well.
Calvin said all components exceed FAR requirements for lumen output.
Stating that incandescent systems operate in the 2500 Kelvin range
whereas the AeroLED product operates in the 6500 Kelvin range, providing
a more white colored and intense light output. The lighting is
directional for the strobe application, more closely matching the
diminishing requirements from horizontal to vertical plane of the FAR’s.
The units are also on the order of 4 times lighter than traditional
systems with significantly lower amperage draw.
Initial products were offered to the experimental and homebuilt
markets to facilitate a positive cash flow and to support FAR 23 and TSO
testing requirements for certified systems. An added benefit to this
business approach was the opportunity to receive feedback from the
initial customer base. AeroLED also allowed OEM customers to provide
opinions for improvements. Calvin stated that all the feedback was
considered key to current product line development, resulting in a
superior product.
The Pulsar series is the first all LED nav and strobe light
combination according to Calvin. The units are ruggedly constructed
having gone through complete and thorough vibration and abuse testing,
including installation on aircraft equipped with diesel engines that
destroyed incandescent bulbs in as little as 10 hours. The units are
hermetically sealed and are displayed under water to demonstrate their
durability for all weather operation. Calvin quipped that the underwater
display was a bit “cheesy” but proved to be an eye catcher and brought
people over to investigate. Testing on the units has indicated a life
expectancy of around 60,000 hours, well beyond most airframe lifetimes.
While not specifically stating a price for the components, Calvin said
they were comparable to costs of traditional lighting systems when
replacement bulbs and power supplies over the life of the aircraft were
factored in.
All AeroLED units have built in overtemp protection and offer very
low RF emmisions and will not interfere with radio operations. Operating
on 9-36 volts the systems do not dim, as incandescent lights do, at
lower voltage levels and deliver the same lumen output regardless of
input voltage.
AeroLED is committed to providing a see and avoid product. The
company believes, and is receiving encouraging reports, that their
system allows much greater visibility at a longer range than any other
system currently available. All systems have wigwag capability allowing
spotting far in advance of typical legacy systems and AeroLED systems
are more visible in daytime than other systems. PMA certification is
expected by year end.
www.bgocled.com
A
camping lantern, nicessity for home use or car camping or backpacking
alike, which is so small and light it fits right on your keychain via a
carabiner. Weighing under an ounce and measuring one by two inches, the
LED Mini is a perfect back-up light. Throw this in your pocket and
forget all about it until the sun dips below the craggy peaks and
darkness engulfs you. Then turn it on and light up your tent; though
it’s small, it outputs 3.5 lumens and is supposedly capable of lighting
up an entire tent. Luckily, since it’ll be most at home in the
backcountry, it will likely just have to provide enough juice for a
slimmed-down, ultralight solo or two-man.
