It was close to midnight and after a long day of flying we were cooked. A couple miles out something just didnt look right. If not for the landing light reflecting off the trees, we might not be here to review cockpit lighting upgrades. The instrument-panel lighting in that 70s-vintage Arrow was so poor we cranked in the wrong altimeter setting-misreading a two for a three in the Kollsman window. There’s no reason to live with (or risk death due to) substandard cockpit lighting. Panel upgrades require skill and a decent budget. The good news is there are several options to light up your night.
Some Human Factors
Studies continues to prove that certain combinations of instrument panel paint and lamp color play a huge role in reducing pilot fatigue during night ops. Soft blue lighting is known to combat eye fatigue and it, along with a flat grey panel, is perhaps the easiest on the eyes in a darkened cabin. While high-gloss wood-grain look-alike finish combinations are as glamorous in a Skylane as they are in a Jaguar, they might not promote a fatigue-free view in flight. We recommend thinking practically to find the proper balance between aesthetics and functionality.
The ability to dim all the lights is important. Dont underestimate the distraction even a single bright warning light can induce in an otherwise well-dimmed cockpit. A piece of black electrical tape over the annunciator isn’t the acceptable remedy.
Internal lamps and Posts
Internal lighting for instruments usually relies on a lamp tray seated in the upper portion of the instrument bezel. Its not the best lighting, but it works.
It also costs. The non-lighted Sigma Tek 5000B-36 gyro is $1040, while the 5000B-37 with lighting is $1230 plus a $55 lamp tray. In a world where many owners are trying to move out of round-gauge instrumentation, any added costs for replacement seems silly.
Post lamps are a common if frustrating source of instrument light. It seems there are always one or two lamps that are burned out, given their somewhat fragile design. These breakable lamps mean extra work during instrument maintenance. But if you need them, Whelen offers post lamps at $37 each.
Lit Rings and Wedges
Lighting rings and wedges are a common solution for improved lighting and give the appearance of an internally-lighted instrument. Further, the light is directed inward to help eliminate the blinding effect and parallax created by some internally lighted instruments.