I am looking for suggestions on replacing the roof mounted motorized beacon on our PA24-260B. I don't want to make airframe changes but would like to find a low profile electronic beacon.

 

Apparently the only easy fix is the Whelen HRCFA ($350+) but it seems to be taller than the existing motorized unit and might create greater wind resistance.

I looked quickly at specs for the Whelen 70509 which is much less $$ and shorter BUT it is a smaller diameter and I didn't seen adapters for the 3-3/4" rotating beacon application.

Last question - are there esthetic questions about the "look" of the Whelen len when compared to the old rotating beacon? All the Flyer pictures with roof beacons appear to look like the motorized unit.

I would like to order something next week and your experience is appreciated.

Thanks in advance for your help!!

By all means, Phil, consider Whelan's LED strobe for the fuselage top. I've seen Kristin's in action on a bright, sunny day. It's impressive!

 

I think we're talking the 70900 series beacons, Kristin can confirm. Chief Aircraft, 2008 catalog lists them for $695 on page 93. Wag Aero lists them for $638.

OTOH, the 70509 will need a 50519 adapter to replace the old rotating beacon.

IMHO, the 70509 flasher probably won't be much better than the old beacon. The HRCFA strobe will be better and the LED unit is best.

YMMV! My opinion only! I've seen or used the LED unit and the SACF and HRCF's. My opinion on the 70509 flasher is JMHO. I've got no experience with it.

I have the LED beacon. It is taller, but narrower than the rotating beacon it replaced. I haven't a clue as to what the net drag gain or loss is. All I know is that it is a better drag to have a mid air collision. That LED beacon is much more visible in the day, than are the strobes.

LED, hands down. It is in dirty air on the top of the aft cabin anyway. No real drag increase or decrease, but as Kristin says, its a real drag when you have a nid air, and these things are REALLY bright, and flash at a speed, and remain illuminated for a period of time that the human eye quickly notices and aquires, even on a bright sunny day! How many strobe systems can say that?
-Zach

LED. I get comments from line guys like "gee, that's a bright beacon".

 

Best,

Jay

 

 

Would a Whelen LED unit replace a 1964 PA-30 tail-mounted rotating beacon?

Mark,

 

Heads up on your rotating beacon. I don't know what's on a 64, but we just replaced the 1970 Whelen rotating beacon on my PA39 and the Piper housing screw holes align well with the new Whelen 1-0790520-55 red/white LED.

BUT
they made the 'skirt' of the new LED light so short it sits almost a half inch below the existing Piper housing rim. Haven't figured out what to do about this as it just got done last week but will have to do something.

Thought you'd want to know.

Works great and highly visible and that is why I got it - high level of traffic under Class B in DFW area.

This is a stock mechanical rotating beacon that is held in place on the tail by a compression clamp (somewhat like a hose clamp). I want to replace it with LED for visability and because the bulb fails frequesntly. If there is a Whelen LED that will fit, I am looking for the part #. Thanks, Mark

Mark, the photo attach function isn't working here so I sent you a PM with three photos and hopefully, that will help.

Globe in Lakeland Florida has a tail mounted beacon and rudder tip for the Comanche as another option.

Mark:

 

The Whelen LED is an easy replacement for the old rotating beacon. That's what I did, and for the same reasons you site.

Jay

Ditto what Jay said. It was a drop in replacement. I have had mine in for about four years. Best money I have spend as you can see that thing better than strobes in the daylight.

And which Whelen LED part # is it? Our rotating beacon is also u/s. We are unsure which Whelen LED beacon to order for our PA-30B Turbo (1966).

 

thanks and regards!