Flush mounted tail beacon

[Philip]

Hello Jim
Recent encounters with low hangar ceiling necessitates that I find a way to flush mount my tail beacon. I know a few years back this was a topic of discussion with you looking at retro fit requirements.
Coming up on annual and now would be the time to consider flush modification. Do you have any new info on this mod potential?
Regards
Philip

 

[Jamesdub]

Re: Flush mounted tail beacon

Morning Phil,
Mine was already installed with I purchased the plane.
My 114 POH has a Supplement 11 to Section 9 that ref's the 'enclosed beacon'.
It includes a note: 'the three position strobes lights MUST be installed if the enclosed beacon is installed’. (You probable have those anyway) Also includes a couple of placard examples.

No complainants with the enclosed beacon, lens cover stays clean and it looks more streamlined.

Has anyone out there completed this conversion? Looking at mine, it appears the light mounting bracket was fabricated and some of the attaching hardware is in very tight quarters.

Good Luck Phil,
John

 

[atjudge]

Re: Flush mounted tail beacon

Mine has is. You need to have the strobes on anytime the beacon/engine is running, that way, you can see the airplane from behind. Otherwise, of course, you can't see the airplane because the beacon gets hidden from directly behind. There is SUPPOSE to be a placard installed in the cockpit making sure when the beacon is on the three point strobe should be on also. The beacon is a tight fit, but all worked out great. I love the look, and it feels like it's going three knots faster!!

 

[gmores]

Re: Flush mounted tail beacon

I installed the conversion years ago before paint. It does clean up the lines significantly. And the extra 5 knots is nice, too.

 

[TylerB24]

Re: Flush mounted tail beacon

Mine has is. You need to have the strobes on anytime the beacon/engine is running, that way, you can see the airplane from behind. Otherwise, of course, you can't see the airplane because the beacon gets hidden from directly behind. There is SUPPOSE to be a placard installed in the cockpit making sure when the beacon is on the three point strobe should be on also. The beacon is a tight fit, but all worked out great. I love the look, and it feels like it's going three knots faster!!

I was pretty sure part of the stc was retiring the rear strobe to be connected to the beacon, that way it was always on whenever the beacon was.

 

[Pat]

Re: Flush mounted tail beacon

The beacon on my plane had a placard to turn on the strobes when the beacon is on. I do not know if that was done because of the load on the circuit or ease of wiring. I bought the tail LED strobe so I could tie it with the beacon and eliminate the placard. It is easier to operate and I can leave the wing strobes off if they are distracting. And the tail position light was weak.

 

[FS]

Re: Flush mounted tail beacon

There should also be a placard or other notice to turn off the strobes when flying in clouds. So they do need to be switched separately. I believe the circuit is set up such that the strobes can't be turned on unless the beacon is on first.

 

[wab003]

Re: Flush mounted tail beacon

There should also be a placard or other notice to turn off the strobes when flying in clouds. So they do need to be switched separately. I believe the circuit is set up such that the strobes can't be turned on unless the beacon is on first.

If wired properly, flush mounted beacon may be used alone (allowing you to kill the strobes so you don't blind the guy taxiing behind you at night or, as you stated, while in clouds or fog) but the strobes will not work unless the beacon switch is also on.