Belly Strobe/Beacon (Original equip list)

[David Pfeffer]

Does anyone have the original equipment list for a 1963 PA-30? I'd like to install a belly strobe or grimes rotating beacon on the belly. I have a grimes rotating beacon I can install if it was ever listed as optional equipment. I've seen it before, but not sure if what I saw was a legal install.

Thanks!
David

[Charles Schefer]

[David Pfeffer]

Thanks Charles. There is an STC available for a belly strobe, but believe there was a strobe included as optional equipment on the original equipment list. Anyone have that list?

[Kristin Winter]

The only ones that I have seen were installed per STC. I changed out the belly strobe for an LED beacon which I believe is more visible and doesn't generate RF noise, at least that I notice in the radios.

[Charles Schefer]

[Kristin Winter]

The Whelen LED beacons are the best $700-800 I spent. They marketedly improve my visibility to other aircraft. I know that other aircraft see me when ATC points me out, much quicker than I usually see them. That is a big improvement from before I put the LED beacon on. Unlike strobes or the rotating beacon, you can even see it a long way out in the daytime.

[David Pfeffer]

Does anyone have a list of the STC holders for PA-30 belly strobes?

[9089P]

I would second Kris' comment on the Whelen LED strobe. I have had a number of people on the brightness during daylight hours. Well worth the investment.

Don

[David Pfeffer]

I've seen the LED tail beacon light installed too. It's great (and I plan to get it one day), but first want to add a belly strobe. Anyone have the original equipment list or know of STC'd belly strobes for our PA-30s?

Thanks!

[Kristin Winter]

Seriously, I would go with the LED beacon on the belly instead of a strobe. The beacons are more visible, use less electricity, and don't make noise in the radio.

[David Pfeffer]

Is the belly LED STC'd Kristen?

I don't have the original eqipment list for the plane so don't know what was original equipment on the belly (I have nothing on mine). If the LED is a PMA'd replacement for an original strobe, or STC'd, that'd be fantastic.

I'd probably rather put the LEd on the tail though and cheaper strobe on the belly.

Thanks for the help!

[Kristin Winter]

It is STC'ed. Check out Whelen's website. It has all the technical stuff right there so you can find out what is approved and then go shopping for the best price.

[Matt Bogard]

Just call Whelen - they are good folks and will get you the right part numbers. I imagine you can splice the line off your dorsal beacon and run both off the same switch. I changed both of my beacons to Whelen LED and second the praise above - they are awesome.

[David Pfeffer]

Ended up installing the more streamlined (slightly smaller) Whelen 71055 red LED beacon on the belly and put a Comet Flash strobe on the tail. It's lit up pretty bright now. I'm happy with it. AND, most importantly, only had to drill a few 0.138 holes through the belly/doubler instead of putting a 3.75" hole for beacon strobe or rotating beacon.