March-April_2022 - 13

designed with a focus on robust components to withstand
the many elements of weather conditions and
the environment, and meet critical specifications to
provide safety and functional use to pilots, " he says.
" Light lensing and metal bracketry are essential
focuses for installation because they maximize the
functionality and lighting output. "
Interior lights have functional use within the cockpit
and more flexibility for the cabin, according to
Opisso. " The cabin lighting for commercial aircraft
focuses more on artistic effects, installation locations,
color schemes for different flight modes, e.g.,
boarding or mealtime, and support aesthetic appeal
for passenger experience and comfort, " he says.
For both external and internal lighting products,
the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has done
a thorough job of establishing testing, says Dahlinger.
" Passing these performance tests help earn PMA and/
or STC approvals. These approvals are welcomed by
private aircraft owners as well as charter and special
missions' operators, " he says.
Cabin lighting
focuses heavily on
aesthetic appeal.
COLLINS AEROSPACE
LED Lights
Opisso observes that, currently, many new production
aircraft are equipped with LED lights. " The
benefits and safety of LED lights compared to other
technologies is now well known and accepted by the
aerospace marketplace, " he says. " With aircraft LED
lighting systems in existence for 20+ years, there is an
ongoing demand to upgrade older lighting systems
from early generation LEDs, fluorescents, or other
technologies. "
Today LED cabin lights are also standard
Lighting must meet
rigorous requirements.
PWI, INC.
equipment in general aviation business
jets and high-end turboprops, according
to Dahlinger. " External LEDs for beacons,
navigation lights, and strobes are also a
standard. eVTOL and other electrically
powered aircraft use LEDs due to their
very low power draw
and extremely long life, "
he says. " As proven LED
technology matures,
virtually all aircraft
will apply LEDs, inside
and out. Today, older
aircraft can take advantage
of LED upgrades
to common fluorescent
cabin lighting. External
lights, whether halogen
or incandescent, can also be upgraded with long life,
low power, and low heat LED replacements. "
With LED efficiency, size and output significantly
advanced, there are many benefits to an operator
by simply replacing the lighting within the aircraft,
according to Opisso. " The color gamut and quality
(color rendering index) on newer generation LEDs
has also provided much more opportunity for creativity
and performance enhancements. There are
many functional benefits, e.g., power, weightand
aesthetic benefits that can be realized with LED
lighting, " he says.
Research and Development
According to Opisso, LEDs and lighting elements continue
to advance and move towards smaller, more
efficient and powerful LEDs that offer a variety of
benefits. " Using highly efficient LEDs with advanced
lensing continues to be a focus to maximize the performance
of the light. By utilizing advanced LEDs,
combined with efficient power supply technology and
lighting controls, there are more ways to find energy
savings, " says Opisso.
Energy savings are indeed at the heart of LED technology,
according to Dahlinger. " While emitting the
same amount or more light than bulbs, LEDs are
solid state and draw very little power. The appealing
benefit to owners and operators is the ability to
reuse that saved power for other onboard uses such
as USB portable device chargers, special missions
- medical transport, government/military or firefighting
- equipment, food and beverage or cabin
entertainment, " he says.
LED technology is trending towards mini and
micro-sized elements, observes Dahlinger. " These
smaller light elements can create higher resolution
displays, which feature better color saturation. LED
manufacturing is improving as well, creating batches
of LED elements that are much closer to the design
specification, " he says. " In broader terms, LED use in
aviation is expanding from a simple spotlight role into
more of a screen or panel role. Cabin designers are
looking to create complete environments that allow
for still and video content, mood-setting lighting and
branding images and messaging. "
Having control elements and more focused
lighting that have less power requirements provide
a direct benefit to the aircraft systems, highlights
Opisso. " Smart power management controls are
now able to improve the use and functional benefit
of lighting systems to put light where it is needed
and when, i.e., suite mealtime lighting. Usage of
advanced LED lights along with enhanced control
offer a significant opportunity to aircraft operators, "
he concludes.
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