Idaho-based aerospace lighting company AeroLEDs announced on Monday that it has added a new landing light series to its lineup. A 75-watt version of the company’s SunSpot line, the SunSpot 36-4000 lights were designed as drop-in replacements for legacy 4509 and 4591 bulbs. According to the company, the SunSpot 36-4509 and 36-4591 offer more than 200,000 candela and a 15-degree by 15-degree beam angle intended to improve visibility “both on the ground and in the air from up to 30 miles away.”
“Already available in a 45W and 100W option, the new SunSpot 36-4000 series 75W LEDs offer the same trusted reliability but top the charts with the highest candela in the industry for a PAR36 LED landing light,” AeroLEDs said. “SunSpot 36-4509 and SunSpot 36-4591 are a safety upgrade that is FAA-PMA/STC approved for use in virtually any aircraft that requires a PAR36 lighting configuration.”
The SunSpot 36-4000 series also includes the 36-4509-H and 36-4591-H models, which come with a built-in pulse mode. Weighing 11.2 ounces, unit price for the SunSpot 36-4509 and 36-4591 is $349 for the standard version and $400 for the -H models. AeroLEDs noted that its lighting products are rated for over 30,000 hours of continuous use.
From the Interweb:
“AeroLEDs SunSpot 36 Equinox is a true dual-function LED Landing AND Taxi light. … Power, Landing 100 Watts / Taxi 75 Watts, Landing 100 Watts / Taxi 100 …
$850.00”
$850? Yikes.
Other than certification what does this do that a $35 Tractor LED light (same size) does not do? Pattern I suppose but seriously?!
Great question. I asked myself the same question when installing a landing/taxi light in my airplane. I think I paid ~$20 for an LED PAR36 replacement bulb marketed for tractors, just as you said, and as far as I could research it had nearly identical performance specs to the AeroLED and Whelen bulbs I was looking at.
I can’t believe anyone flying recreationally still owns a certified airplane at this point.
I would never do it, of course but I bet a certificated airplane could remain airborne at least momentarily with a $20 LED light…
I don’t think light bulbs need certification… they are standard parts.