Small stick-on light for illuminating gauges at night?

[Robert Ryan]

A rental plane I use does not have a functioning light for the altimeter. Flying at night is a bit sketch because I need to use a flashlight to check the altitude. Does anyone have experience with a small stick-on led light that would help? I’m thinking something with a button battery that I could keep in my flight bag that points the light into the gauge. Yes they should fix the light but...

 

[RyanB]

Wear a red colored headlamp.

 

[Steven Untet]

I used 3M super Velcro and stuck two energizer headlights to the roof above my panel. Red for use amiable and white for loading and unloading. Works great. And I always wear a head light with red when o fly at night just in case.


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[Sinistar]

We use these small keychain lights for night flying. I bought them awhile back and they came with the clips as well. Some of the gauges in our plane are hard to read. So we just clip this to the headband of the headset (or mic boom). Way cheaper than a mic light. Maybe you could clip this somewhere to shine on the altimeter if you don't like it moving with your head on the headset. Ours have red lights. We never use them on the highest setting. So lightweight you don't even know you are wearing them. Would also clip on cap but I prefer them on the headset and don't usually wear a hat.

Light:
https://www.photonlight.com/led-flashlights/photon-micro-light-ii-led-keychain-flashlight/

Clip Kit
https://www.photonlight.com/accessories/photon-hands-free-clip-necklace/

 

[asicer]

https://www.orientaltrading.com/light-up-suction-cup-balls-a2-12_2443.fltr?categoryId=550269

https://www.orientaltrading.com/finger-beam-lights-a2-12_3893.fltr?categoryId=550269

 

[TommyG]

Tell the cheap owner to spend a few bucks and fix it.

 

[chemgeek]

Headlamp or visor light. Red/white ones are nice.

 

[wanttaja]

Used a cyalume light stick in my Fly Baby once....

Ron Wanttaja

 

[FastEddieB]

Is it not a myth that red lenses are of no benefit over white lights dimmed to the same intensity?

 

[Dan Thomas]

Doesn't FAR 91.213 require that equipment required for flight be installed and functioning? Night flight requires intrument lighting, and I don't think FARs 23 or 91 intended that flashlights would comply with the requirement.

 

[wanttaja]

Doesn't FAR 91.213 require that equipment required for flight be installed and functioning? Night flight requires intrument lighting, and I don't think FARs 23 or 91 intended that flashlights would comply with the requirement.

14CFR 91.205 does not require instrument lighting for flying at night. Position lights, anticollision light, and, if operated for hire, landing light. But no specification for instrument lighting.

A lot of old gauges are radium-coated to the extent that they set off radiation detectors when shipped....

Ron Wanttaja

 

[mwagg737]

I have a 1956 310 that the dome light and accompanying instrument flood light is inoperative. It does have a strip of LEDs under the dash that do an okay job. I am planning on updating the lighting shortly.
In response to your question, I picked up a $3 LED light that sticks to the ceiling and you press the light like a giant rocker to turn it in. Best dome light I've ever had in an airplane!

Similar product....
Meridian 3-LED Black Push Light with 3 (AAA) Batteries (Included) at Menards https://www.menards.com/main/p-1444439495911.htm

Great for loading and unloading the aircraft at night when you don't want to use the aircraft battery.

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[Robert Ryan]

Wear a red colored headlamp.

I just ordered a headlamp with red and white lights. Last night on downwind I dropped the flashlight and it was interesting.

 

[Dan Thomas]

14CFR 91.205 does not require instrument lighting for flying at night. Position lights, anticollision light, and, if operated for hire, landing light. But no specification for instrument lighting.

Ah. OK. In Canada we have this:

605.16 (1) No person shall conduct a take-off in a power-driven aircraft for the purpose of night VFR flight, unless it is equipped with
....
(i) a means of illumination for all of the instruments used to operate the aircraft;

 

[Bell206]

But no specification for instrument lighting.

While there's no requirement in 91, if the aircraft was certified for night ops under CAR 3/Part 23 it will have instrument lights. If it wasn't certified for nights then there will be a limitation stated in POH/AFM or TCDS stating no nights/days only. So in this case 91 doesn't override CAR 3/23. Radium dials satisfied the requirement until the workers painting the dial glowed brighter than the instruments.

I'm on my phone other wise I could bring up the specific reg for you. But as a side note, when we had an instrument light issue on aircraft with an MEL one part of the deferment was to limit aircraft to day ops only.