Flashing Lights for Planes and Helicopters

(Summer Circuits 2010 article)

There are two sorts of lights on aircraft: red or white flashing lights, which are called ‘anti-collision lights’, and steady lights, red on the tip of the left wing, green on the tip of the right wing, and white at the tail, called ‘position lights’, which enable an observer to see if the aircraft is approaching or going away. On the tip of each wing, in addition to the steady lights, there may also be flashing white strobe lights. The position light simulator given here takes a few liberties with the real position lights, making them flash (it’s more fun!) and using a little trick to simulate the strobe effect.