Torches!

killbilly

Vocals, Lyrics, Triangle, Washboard, Kittens
Because it's snappier than 'flashlights.'

I need to procure a decent light for my kit. Should be small, powerful and able to fit in a flight kit, bright and focused enough to shine a beam into the nacelle of a -145 RJ while standing in front of the leading edge. (It's a much taller airplane than you'd think.)

I know there's a bazillion options out there. I figure LED for sure, but beyond that - standard batteries? Rechargeable? Expensive? Cheap? What's working for you guys on the line?
 
I don’t know about 121 action or about meeting the relevant FAR/ops spec but I am a big fan of USB rechargeable headlamps.

Is what I use, but then again the usage profile is entirely different from what you’ll have as an RJ FO and it might just not be right for your situation.

I know a lot of people swear by streamlight if you’re set on a traditional torch.
 
Last edited:
Yeah I use the headlamps in GA but this will be something more traditional for preflight inspections. And it’s a required item for us.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro
 
Because it's snappier than 'flashlights.'

I need to procure a decent light for my kit. Should be small, powerful and able to fit in a flight kit, bright and focused enough to shine a beam into the nacelle of a -145 RJ while standing in front of the leading edge. (It's a much taller airplane than you'd think.)

I know there's a bazillion options out there. I figure LED for sure, but beyond that - standard batteries? Rechargeable? Expensive? Cheap? What's working for you guys on the line?
Free at Harbor Freight ! If not this week, next week.

I've got a drawer full of them.

1668811425550.png
 
@killbilly I went for the TAC LED by the GearLight brand, but when I bought this it came in a Craftsman box. Bought it before a trip to Newark as the world was ending in 2018-2019, and I honestly have yet to change the batteries.

This from a ramp rat.

Is this how I URL something?
 
I have a Zonapa T300 LED flashlight that works great! It is very bright and you can change the beam focus. You would have no problems lighting up the 145 with it.
I think it cost around $10.00 on amazon
 
Just don’t get an Olight brand if you’re questing away for something cheap and bright on Amazon. They’ve had some serious fires started due to their quality issues.

Stream-lights are outstanding and pretty much set the bar for rechargeable portable “duty lights.” However the name demands a premium price and if you lose sight of it, it’s gone. JetBeam is very similar in quality/size/output but only bills about 2/3 the price.


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk
 
No …no.

No “torches” here. That’s a forced affect like a fedora or 80% of Major League Soccer fans. Yes I went there.

I’ve been happy with an Anker Bolder LC40 rechargeable light I bought off a YouTuber’s Affiliate link


I actually got two and both are still working just fine three years later with one spending most of its life in a car glovebox with rare use and the other being my frequent utility light.
 
I see a lot of what I consider "overkill" with super bright flashlights. If you ever need to use your flashlight in the flight deck at night, you DON'T want super bright. 250 lumens or so is wayyyyy bright enough, even overpowers the ramp floodlights at most airports when you get that "bright floodlight behind the thing you are trying to look at" problem. 250 lumens is probably still too bright in the flight deck. An iPhone light is probably less than 50 lumens, maybe less than 20 for reference.

I have an iProtec Chameleon (seems it's no longer made) but they make the Chameleon II now. I think it's 150 lumens (original was 100 I think) but also has red and green LEDs if you want a lower power night vision friendly color. 3 AAA batteries. If you can find an original Chameleon it uses a single AA. Both are very compact. I know they are sold at Academy Sports, and I bought my original Chaneleon at a Bass Pro.

iProtec is a subsidiary of the same company that makes Nebo brand that you see at Autozone, Lowes, etc.

 
Last edited:
Do you go to prison in Mexico if you 1) don't have a flashlight, or 2) have one that is longer than 8"?
 
Back
Top