Colyn,
I very much appreciate the considerations list.  A standard type lens
fashioned to fit the leading edge of the winglet is the current plan.

Just starting the winglets now so they are not closed.  What is your
suggestion for the power supply and high voltage leads?  We have the e-glass
winglets to enhance antenna reception and would like to not have this system
interfere either.  Fairly committed to putting the XV-19 in the winglets.

The mockup approach is a good idea.

Thanks much for your thought on this system.

Denis
N750PJ


-----Original Message-----
From: Colyn Case [mailto:colyncase@earthlink.net] on Thursday, May 27, 2010
3:01 AM

Hi Denis,

I have xv-19's in my wingtips.  Haven't been able to fly with them yet but
have done a lot of ground testing.
Issues to think about:
a) it's  very bright, esp the 50 watt, which is great.
b) without a lens, the vertically challenged reflector creates a narrow band
vertically with an extremely sharp edge.
The edge is distracting.  That is one reason I also have a high wattage
halogen on the nose wheel.
c) making a lens that matches the wing contour, and no fancy optics will
spread the beam somewhat vertically.  That's probably a good thing.   It
will be interesting to see when it flies again but it may work out just
great.   I haven't looked into fancy lenses but it's hard to imagine one
that throws a straight beam and is at the same time aerodynamically
efficient.
d) if you haven't closed your tips yet, think about where the power supply
and high voltage leads are going to run relative to any antennas out there.


I would recommend doing a mockup on the ground first and see what you think.
Obviously having a big fat parabolic lens would be great but it's hard to
find a place for that on a IV let alone a IVPT.   Wing root?

Colyn