12/8/2024: Since I still have no airplane parts to work on (until March probably), I decided to order and build the landing, taxi, navigation, and strobe light. This feels like getting way ahead of myself, since I don’t even have wings yet! I chose the FlyLEDs Taildragger Max (one for each wing) which incorporates both taxi lights (aimed 20 degrees down from level) and landing lights (aimed straight ahead). I also chose FlyLEDs “Essentials” light kit, which includes wing-tip mounted strobe and position lights. Previously I ordered their taillight kit, and installed it on the rudder fairing. The lights are controlled by a main control board, which will probably be mounted behind the instrument panel. I was able to power up and test all of the functions, including various strobe modes. The kit seems very well designed, but includes some slightly fussy assembly steps (with risk of destroying some high power LEDs, fortunately worked out OK!) and a bunch of soldering. I was able to power up and test all of the basic functions, including various strobe modes provided by the main controller board. It was very nice to work on something that, for a change, is well within my skill set of electrical engineering! Next up: Probably upgrading the wing stand that I received from Andrew Clark’s RV-7 build. It needs to be a bit longer for the longer RV-14 wings, and I will switch to carpeting to cradle the wing leading edges.

Time spent: 5hr