Scope of Delivery:
- SteFly canopy flasher with red LEDs and black aluminum / polymer housing
- Control Box for automatic on/off switching of the flasher when airborne and increasing of the flash intensity according to FLARM® collision warning data (not included in the scope of delivery of Canopy Flasher Essential!); Integrated Bluetooth® (can send FLARM® and position data to a mobile device) and WLAN (for updates)
- On/off switch with integrated 4 A fuse and labeling panel
- All required cables (12 VDC power supply to on-off switch / on-off switch to control box / control box to canopy flasher)
- Masking foil template for precise alignment of the canopy flasher in the direction of flight
- Yaw string with clear adhesive pad and alignment template
Highlights of Function and Design
- 6 red LEDs of the latest generation, which can be operated at a very high current for maximum brightness thanks to the aluminum heat sink
- The light beam formed by the lenses warns oncoming aircraft, especially from the front
- At the same time, the high-performance LEDs produce enough light to widen the angle of reflected beam, so that aircraft appearing diagonally in front of your own glider are also warned
- Streulicht wird nicht vom Gehäuse absorbiert, sondern durch die Auskleidung mit hochwertiger Reflektorfolie, wie sie auf Straßenschildern zum Einsatz kommt, Therefore all the light coming out of the LEDs contributes to warn other pilots.
Der elegante Haubenblitzer mit dem „Curved Design“
Das Entwicklungsziel bestand darin, den hellsten roten Haubenblitzer zu konstruieren. Trotzdem sollte das Gehäuse kleiner sein, als das von anderen Haubenblitzern auf dem Markt. Wie kann das gelingen?
FORM FOLLOWS FUNCTION
Indem die einzelnen LEDs mit dem geringst möglichen Abstand zur Haubenverglasung angeordnet werden und das Gehäuse dieser geschwungenen Kontur folgt, bleibt unter dem Gehäuse maximal Platz, z.B. für die Lüftungsklappe. Der Blitzer kann weit vorne an der Haube montiert werden. Gemeinsam mit den geringen Abmessungen ermöglicht dies, dass der Pilot weiter die volle Sicht nach vorne hat. Auch die Haubenbelüftung wird so wenig wie möglich behindert.
Es stehen wieder mehrere Gehäuseformen zur Auswahl, um für die individuellen Haubenkrümmungen und Platzverhältnisse verschiedener Flugzeugmuster immer die beste Lösung anbieten zu können.
Aluminum Housing for Thermal Management
Rote LEDs erzeugen bei gleichem Energieeinsatz einen geringeren Lichtstrom verglichen mit grünen LEDs. Die Energie, die nicht in Licht umgewandelt wird, muss als Abwärme an die Umgebung abgegeben werden. Hierfür braucht es ein leistungsfähiges Abwärmekonzept und insbesondere einen Kühlkörper mit großer Oberfläche aus einem Material mit hoher Wärmeleitfähigkeit. Alle Kunststoffe besitzen eine sehr geringe Wärmeleitfähigkeit von z.B. 0,23 W/(m*K) bei Nylon. Aluminium weist dagegen 220 W/(m*K) auf – das ist eine um den Faktor 950 bessere Wärmeleitfähigkeit! Ein Kühlkörper aus Kunststoff ist sinnlos und maximal als Designelement einsetzbar. Ein Kühlkörper aus Aluminium nimmt dank seiner größeren thermischen Masse die Wärme auf, die von den LEDs bei jedem Blitz abgegeben wird und leitet sie kontinuierlich an die kühlere Außenfläche des Kühlkörpers weiter. Von dort wird sie an von der Umgebungsluft aufgenommen.
Zusammengefasst:
- Wir setzen auf einen gefrästen Aluminiumkühlkörper zur optimalen Kühlung der LEDs
- Perfect heat transfer for long LED life and high light output auch bei sommerlichen Temperaturen und hoher Sonneneinstrahlung, denn eine kältere LED hat den höheren Wirkungsgrad
- Dank des Kühlkörpers können die 6 Hochleistungs-LEDs mit einem Strom und einer Helligkeit betrieben werden, die mit einem Kunststoffkühlkörper bei weitem nicht möglich wären
- The housing of the flasher is black anodized und mit einem SteFly logo .
Auch sonst überzeugt das Gehäuse mit vielen Details:
- Der vordere Gehäuseteil ist im 3D-Laser-Sinter-Verfahren aus Hochleistungspolyamid hergestellt
- Zur visuellen Kontrolle, ob und wann genau Lichtblitze abgegeben werden, ist ein Lichtleiter in den Kühlkörper integriert
- Double-sided 3M-VHB-Band verbindet Haubenblitzer und Acrylglas zuverlässig
Every glider is unique.
- With several housing shapes and a variety of canopy connectors, we offer solutions for a variety of aircraft types. And our range of products continues to grow.
- Inquiries for aircraft that are not yet listed in our standard range are welcome!
Control Box: Data Center, Security Gain and USB Charger all in One
- Evaluates FLARM® signals of aircraft in the surrounding area
- Ensures that the canopy flasher only emits light signals when the aircraft is flying, which prevents dazzling of start helpers or children on the ground looking directly into the canopy flasher
- Intensity of flash frequency increases, as soon as there is an airplane in the vicinity on potential collision course , which further increases the perceptibility
- Integrated Bluetooth module allows the transfer of FLARM®-data to mobile devices, so e.g. XC-Soar on the smartphone is able to show®FLARM traffic as well as your own GPS position e.g. in XC-Soar on the smartphone
- Thanks to Bluetooth Low Energy, this data can also be sent to Naviter SeeYou Navigator .
- In addition WLAN Both comfortable setting of the baud rate as well as firmware updates
- In addition WLAN Both comfortable setting e.g. of the baud rate as well as firmware updates
On-Off Switch
- The included Switch needs to be integrated into the instrument panel to activate the flasher
- The switch module has an integrated 4 A fuse as well as screw terminals for the cables
- The package includes the required label in form of a black cover, which can be used also as drilling template
Why does a Flarm connection to the canopy flasher make sense?
What is good for visual awareness also has a disadvantage: the more powerful the LEDs, the more care must be taken to ensure that no one (especially children) looks directly into the flash light from a short distance. We have therefore decided to only offer our LED flasher for gliders in combination with a control box. It evaluates FLARM signals and enables the LEDs to begin flashing automatically as soon as the aircraft is in the air. After landing, the canopy flasher switches off automatically. This only requires that the ACL switch on the instrument panel is set to "On". We deliberately did not use a control LED, which is usually attached to the back of the canopy flasher, to avoid reflections in the canopy. However, when the ACL switch on the instrument panel is flipped, the SteFly Canopy Flasher signals that it is working properly by two short, reduced-brightness flashes.
However, make absolutely sure that nobody is looking directly into the canopy flasher or into the reflected beam when the canopy flasher is switched on! This could possibly damage the retina temporarily or even permanently.
EASA believes that canopy flashers and other LED visual awareness lights contribute to flight safety and allows installation in accordance to EASA Standard Change CS-SC036b (INSTALLATION OF VISUAL AWARENESS LIGHTS). Accordingly, e.g. the effect on mass and center of gravity must be taken into account and the canopy must of course still be able to be ejected. The acceptance is carried out by an examiner.
Overview of the installation process:
- Determine the approximate position of the canopy flasher (ensure that the flap controlling the ventilation has enough clearance!)
- Degrease the canopy in the area of the adhesive surface (for the canopy flasher and the yaw string)
- Tension a thread from the nose of the fuselage to the top of the vertical stabilizer
- Use a measuring tape to align the thread in the middle of the canopy
- Optional: attach the yaw string using a template
- Stick the adhesive template with the outline of the canopy flasher on the outside of the canopy
- Remove the protective film from the canopy flasher and stick it to the canopy according to the template
- Position the on/off switch in the instrument panel
- The labeling board of the switch also serves as a drilling template (drilling diameter 6 mm)
- Fasten the control box in front of the instrument panel (screws and clamps / cable ties / Velcro)
- Plug in the cables and connect the cables to the screw terminals of the on/off switch
- Function Test
- by switching on the flash (it only flashes twice at a lower intensity when you are on the ground)
- Activate test mode in the SteFly canopy flasher web application
- Or, if Power Flarm® Fusion is installed, the Flarm®simulator app simulates a dangerous situation
Quick and Easy Installation - Even During the Gliding Season
Degrease an aircraft canopy made of acrylic glass / PMMA / Plexiglas® only with water with dishwashing detergent, isopropanol or benzene-free petroleum ether, but never acetone or other alcohol as these solvents may cause micro cracks!
Canopy Contact for Side-Opening Canopies
Connecting Canopy Flasher and Control Box by cable is complicated for sideways opening canopies, because clamping the cable during closing needs to be avoided. Sideways opening canopies are common for gliders manufactured by Schempp-Hirth. That's why we offer a special canopy contact. A module with three spring contacts is attached to the canopy near the frame using double-sided 3M VHB adhesive tape. The counterpart is screwed onto the instrument cover. When the canopy is closed, electrical connection is implemented between control box and canopy flasher. For ease of maintenance, the canopy contact has a connector.
Special Connector for the Canopy Jettison
On all aircraft types where the instrument panel is fixed to the canopy (e.g. Alexander Schleicher) or types where the canopy is hinged at the front (e.g. LS), the control box and canopy flasher may be connected with the cable included in scope of delivery, which has a special connector serving as predetermined breaking point.
When having selected the connectors we made sure that they separate automatically with little force in the event of an emergency release of the canopy. The locking lug has been removed as well. Therefore, please do not use cable ties to secure the plugged-in connectors and bind them together! Secure only the connector that goes to the control box, as this will remain connected to the aircraft even during canopy jettison.
If cable ties are applied during the canopy flasher installation, there must be provided a cable loop (at least 10 cm) in the area of the predetermined breaking point connector. The reason is that in the event of an emergency jettison, the canopy is now able to detach about 10 cm from the aircraft until the connection cable between Control Box and Flasher is fully tensioned. This ensures that canopy and fuselage disconnect from each other under all circumstances.
Installation / Operating Manual
The current version 1.4 (July 2023) of the instructions for installation and operation can be found here!
Installation Manual and Operating Instructions
Installation Manuals for Canopy Connectors
For side opening canopies with connector on the right side, e.g. Discus, Ventus, Janus, Duo Discus, Arcus, Nimbus, Pilatus B4:
DG doubleseater, e.G. DG 500, DG 1000, DG 1001:
Twin 1
Twin 2 and Twin 3
Astir CS
Technical Data
LEDs: 6 red high-power LEDs; high current without overheating possible thanks to aluminum heat sink
Canopy Flasher Standard Housing: Gewicht 51 g (inkl. 40 cm Kabel), Abmessungen LxBxH 51 mm x 66 mm x 18 mm
Control Box: Gewicht 53 g, Abmessungen LxBxH 64 mm x 44 mm x 23 mm
On-Off Switch: mass 10 g, dimensions width x height 15 mm x 31 mm
Connection Cables: mass 57 g
Input voltage range: 9 bis 17 V DC
Amperage: 140 mA für den Haubenblitzer Essential bei 13,5 V
130 mA insgesamt für Haubenblitzer und Controlbox bei 13,5 V und Blitzfrequenzeinstellung "Low"
200 mA insgesamt für Haubenblitzer und Controlbox bei 13,5 V und Blitzfrequenzeinstellung "Medium"
Interfaces: 2 serial interfaces: 1x FLARM®-input and 1 x FLARM®-repeater (e.g. for AIR Traffic Display or FLARM®-Display), Bluetooth, WLAN
Operating Temperature: -30°C to +60°C
Material: Control box housing and heat sink of the canopy flasher made of black anodized aluminium; canopy flasher housing made of SLS-printed polymer, painted matt black; housing lined with reflector foil for maximum efficiency
Internal Fuse of the On-Off Switch: 4A