A Little Brighter in the Cockpit Now

[Michael Carter]

I finally had a few hours to myself today to install the the overhead map light I've had sitting around for three weeks collecting dust.

I didn't take any photos of it directly, but only the results from having it on. It's much easier reading charts without a flashlight now. I still do have to get the map light and install it. Maybe after Christmas.

Camera phones ain't the greatest. I really have to get some film for my 35mm Canon A1 and shoot some real photographs one of these days.

Early Afternoon shot before startup:



Lighting with the new map or courtesy light in the overhead trim panel:





This one's for Eric. I thought I saw a child airline seat installed as we were taxiing around to park.



You guys remember these don't ya?



They go along with these:
(Parked, BTW)



Sunset over Austria, nearing Klangenfurt



Your Captain for this evenings flight

[Tomlin]

Mike,

Thanks for the comment! I am looking forward to having Hannah sitting in the right hand seat next to me in the next several weeks!

I really like the shot of the glareshield and the sunset. Very real looking there!

[Michael Carter]

As I was taxiing in I didn't know it was a LearJet until almost on top of it. It was very foggy in Klangenfurt tonight. As I rounded the 90 right turn to the terminal I said, " that must be Eric on the ramp there"

Honestly, that's the first time I've ever pulled up to a ramp for an airport I don't have and found a LearJet sitting at the dock. You're the first one I thought of.

[Kennair]

Hey Mike,

What wattage light are you using? I have installed a couple of halogen downlights from Ikea that were 20W but I changed the globes for 10W as it was too bright. Your light looks mighty powerful in the photos. How do you find it?

Ken.

[Michael Carter]

I'd have to check since these are automotive 1156 bulbs used for backup and turn signals. Single element bulb. I was going to wire it in to the 24VDC buss, but the original bulb was bad and I didn't want to wait for Mouser to send me one so I grabbed an extra 12VDC power supply and power it with that.

I also switched my internal ventalation to this power supply since it's 6A. (I burned up the 900ma PS I had it on

It's probably either 35 or 55 watts. It's pretty darn bright without the cover on it. Blinding actually. Much more subdued with the lens on it.

I've looked at photos on Airliners.net of the 72 cockpit with this light on, it looks the same.