This is the view from a Cessna 421 cockpit fitted with two Royal Atlantic HIDs in each wing, plus one on the nosegear. Although the system consumes less power than the stock lighting, it provides brighter, higher contrast illumination.

by Paul Bertorelli

Aircraft landing lights are, at best, the maintenance equivalent of an open sore. They don’t work well to begin with and often burn out when you need them most. Thankfully, the fix has become more affordable: The high intensity discharge lights that have been popular in the off-road industry for a decade are finding their way into light aircraft, having been pioneered by LoPresti Speed Merchants some six years ago. Recently, at least four other companies have entered the HID business. We’re happy to report there’s now price competition in the field and we expect to see more. …