Avionics News August 2012 - 57

Advertisers Index
Advantage Avionics. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 70

LIGHTENING THE LOAD
Continued from page 23

Continued from page 52

THEORY & PRACTICE

Aero Air. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 70 Aero Standard. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 70

or radio-frequency interference. These Whelen units meet the minimum requirements for anti-collision light systems installed on fixed-wing aircraft, and they’re STC’d for widespread installation use under SA615EA. Current demand? How about a mere 0.425 amps at 28 volts, or 0.85 amps at 14. It doesn’t get much lower than that… at least, for now. Look for More to Come LED technology continues to advance, which means we’ll see more iterations of all the outside lighting tools already common in aviation – advances that use less current and, over time, are less draining on the owner’s wallet. In the meantime, consider the longterm value enhancement of an all-LED airplane and the prospect of salvaging the units from an airplane that finally reached scrapping age. Chances are you’ll be able to lighten up the scrap by taking off stillfunctioning lighting fixtures. Those units can help lighten the load for another future aircraft. One long-time aircraft owner recently moved on to LED landing and taxi lights after a new piece of panel gear edged his alternator to its output limit. The choice cost him less than replacing the alternator or adding another. He’s been particularly happy with the taxilight’s performance; brighter, better beam pattern and the loads imposed put his alternator back into happy greenneedle territory. He expects his great-great grandchildren to face the chore of replacing them. At the next annual, he’s going forward with new LED recognition lights. He’s going to add a new MFD and a weather receiver. “I need to make up the power somewhere; might as well be where I don’t have to touch it again,” he said. q

Typically, career and academic counseling are covered by the counseling department. If you are not sure you are going to be happy in the major you choose, then this department can help. At the end of your matriculation, this is the department that can help you find an employer. The counseling department can help prepare a resume, write a cover letter, practice for a job interview and, in some cases, even loan a suit and tie. Often, the counseling department is where you can make accommodations for a disability. There is no reason for a disability to prevent any student from earning a quality education. Most colleges with dorms offer limited health care on campus. If you feel ill, you can be examined by a professional who will help choose a course of action. It’s unlikely you will learn much while under the weather. Professors will help you make up the work at a later date. Don’t overlook friends and relatives. Study groups are common in challenging programs. The study group does not have to be official. Instead, it can merely be a group of friends working toward the same educational goal. You might be surprised how much your parents or grandparents know. Many years ago, I remember my father asking for help with some statistics equations. I think he was being cagy, but I was the one in need of help. By explaining equations to him, I gained a better understanding myself. Please do not plan college or technical school as a solo endeavor. A more accurate description is a formation flight with professors, advisors, counselors, tutors, parents, health care professionals and friends. By my count, this makes for a flight of seven, at least. Flying through college with seven wingmen will definitely yield success. q

Aero-Mach Labs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 56 Aerospace Optics . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 45 Aircell . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9 Aircraft Electronics Association. . . . . . . 70 Astronics . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 37 Becker Avionics . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 44 Cal Labs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 70 Dallas Avionics . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . IFC Device Technologies . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 71 Duncan Aviation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 41 EDMO . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . BC Express Calibration Services . . . . . . . . 70 Flight Display Systems . . . . . . . . . . . . . 51 FlyCarolina Aviation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 70 Flying Magazine . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 53 Garmin International . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3 Georgetown Instrument Services . . . . . 36 Global Parts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27 Greenwich / Matrix Aviation . . . . . . . . . 49 Mid-Continent Instruments & Avionics . . 5, 31 Pacific Southwest Instruments . . . . . . IBC Preston Pressure . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 71 ProCal Laboratories . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 70 Tech-Aid Products. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 71 TGH Aviation. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 Triumph Instruments . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 32
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Avionics News August 2012

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Avionics News August 2012
