Installation instructions ......................... 11 General ..............................11 List of needed tools and materials ...................... 11 Installation of the canopy flash with template ..................12 Installation of the canopy-power interface ..................13 Canopy-power interface counterpart attachment with template ............14 Installation of the counterpart to the instrument panel cover ............14 connectBOX ............................
Canopy flash 1 Important information Installation and usage of the canopy flash is at your own risk and responsibility. It requires approval by an aircraft inspector authorized for such work and a complete documentation and is only allowed to be operated on board of gliders under VFR-daylight flight rules. Improper installation may lead to failure of the aircraft avionic system.
Canopy flash 3 Operation without connectBOX After switching on (by switch/fuse) the canopy flash starts flashing with a frequency of 0,6Hz, e.g. a flash every 1,5sec. This frequency is a compromise between visibility and power consumption and cannot be modified or adapted via the SOTECC-configurator. As there is no connection to FLARM®, evaluation of collision data or similar is not possible and it results in a steady flash frequency as long as the system is switched on.
An integrated LED on the backside of the canopy flash housing informs the pilot about the proper functioning of the system (see item 3). The heart of each canopy flash is the energy saving LED- control unit with an integrated temperature and error control unit, to prevent system overheat or internal damage.
8 Installation instructions 8.1 General The canopy flash falls within the category standard parts, according to EASA AMC 21.A.303(c), and so installation in gliders is only allowed under certain conditions. Der installation must comply with the EASA Standard Change CS-SC036a „INSTALLATION OF VISUAL AWARENESS LIGHTS“. It is necessary to ensure the following items: The Pilot shall not be blinded by the canopy flash system under no circumstances.
Handbook/Installation instructions Canopy flash 8.3 Installation of the canopy flash with template Define the middle of the canopy with a thin string or tape, then affix the template from outside. (Be careful: the small string may be positioned eccentrically!) Prior installing the canopy flash, clean the canopy with appropriate cleaning agent.
Aircraft with forward opening canopies without canopy contact go to 8.9 "Wiring". Lay the cable from the canopy flash into the canopy frame and if necessary, fix it. Make sure to place the power interface as close as possible to the frame.
Plug the 4-pin connector cable of the counterpart (in the panel cover, see step 5, lower picture) into the ACL-port of the connectBOX. Similar way for canopy flash systems with quick separation point (like V3M, LS8) Connect the connectBOX to the on-board power supply with the 2-pin cable and install a 3-5 A fuse.
FLARM® upstream with the connectBOX and then “Bluebox” downstream. 8.10 Option Extension Board If the connectBOX is difficult to access or if it is installed in combination with a SOTECC-strobe, the extension board is used, to enable easy plugging in and unplugging when removing the instrument panel cover.
Handbook/Installation instructions Canopy flash 9 SOTECC-Configurator With the supplied SOTECC configurator, it is possible to configure the canopy flash via the connectBOX individually. You can find the program attached on the supplied USB-stick. The following values can be changed: Flash frequency...
By pressing “test mode“, the canopy flash begins a 15 seconds test-mode and shows the programmed flash frequency allowing the pilot to check the functionality of the canopy flash system. Please do not interfere during this mode. (No programming during test mode).
Canopy flash 10 Safety notes The canopy flash is a system to improve visibility by other air traffic participants in the airspace. It serves only as a support and under no circumstances replaces an active airspace observation by the pilot in command. The installation of the system should not lead to any changes in the responsibilities of the pilot in command.
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