Cockpit Lighting Solutions

When flying at night, pilots need a reliable means of illuminating their aircraft’s instrument panel. Although most new aircraft feature pre-lit instruments, many pilots are in need of a lighting system for their existing instruments. This blog will offer a few suggestions of how to keep your instruments lit and visible.

The first option is post lighting. This is considered an entry-level lighting system and consists of small lights embedded in raised posts. A hood located at the top of the post directs light downward, illuminating the instrument panel. The base of the post light is compatible with that of an instrument mounting screw, meaning it can hold your instrument in place while illuminating it at the same time. A single post light can effectively illuminate an area of up to three to four inches.

The next option, lighting trays, are instrument-facing lights that simulate the look of newer, internally illuminated instruments without having to replace your existing panel. Lighting trays are fitted atop the instrument bezel and shine downward onto the instrument display. Similar to the lighting tray is the lighting wedge, which consists of a full instrument bezel with built-in lights along the bezel’s interior. Lighting wedges can be used with an existing instrument bezel and are designed to be compatible with both a plastic overlay panel and flat metal panel configuration. Lighting wedges provide the advantage of uniform instrument lighting that isn’t prone to light pollution.

The final and most advanced option is the edge-lit panel and custom overlay. This option completely replaces the original overlay and contains embedded lighting around the instrument gauge cutouts, modernizing the look of your cockpit. This provides 360° illumination with the added bonus of illuminating multiple instruments, meaning you will not need a separate light for each instrument. Another benefit of this lighting choice is that, because you are not modifying the instruments themselves, they are still considered OEM condition and are therefore serviceable by any OEM facility.

Regardless of the lighting system you use, it is always good to have a backup option like a flashlight or headlamp. While inferior choices, either of these will get the job done in a pinch. For all types of cockpit lighting solutions and much more, look no further than ASAP Purchasing, a trusted supplier of parts for a wide range of industries. We are an online distributor of aircraft parts as well as parts pertaining to the aerospace, civil aviation, defense, electronics, and IT hardware markets. We’re always available and ready to help you find all the parts and equipment you need, 24/7-365. For a quick and competitive quote, call us at 1-714-705-4780 or email us at sales@asapsemi.com.