Proper use of the strobe + beacon on the TBM 930 & Vision Jet?

Dear all,

According to the manual of the TBM 930, and loads of other planes, the strobe is turned on when crossing the runway, or during take off and flight.

But the manual of the Vision Jet prescribes using the strobe more as a beacon, thus it must be turned on when the engine is started.

But at the same time both planes have no beacon.

So why does the manual of the TBM 930 not specify the strobe to be turned on at engine start?

Which manual is ‘right’ here in the use of the strobe? I do not understand it. Is there a specific reasoning that I am missing here? For now I decided to turn the strobe of the Vision Jet + TBM 930 after engine start already because they both have no beacon, and I thus think that is logical option here.

If anyone knows, please let me know.

Greetings,

Boudewijn

Hi nl40pilot

Strobes are only turned on when entering or crossing the active runway and during the flight, when leaving the active runway the Strobes are turned off.
For the rest of the time the stay off.

Safe flying.

This is why I get confused, the vision startup checklist says to turn the strobe light on before starting the engines.

It’s not uncommon for aircraft to not have a “beacon” as strobes fulfill the legal requirement for anti-collision lights (and vice-versa). Some aircraft have other lights that include features that fulfill the role as well. Just follow the POH/checklists for each aircraft - one aircraft’s technique is not always applicable to another.

No cirrus aircraft have a traditional red beacon, they all use strobes.

Strobes are turned on prior to engine start and remain on for the entire flight

Hello all,

Thanks for your replies. It is unclear I guess. I just put them on before engine start.

Greetings,

Boudewijn

As @wcc96387 mentioned, Cirrus aircraft only have strobes. I used to fly SR20’s, and standard procedure was to use the strobes as beacon and thus turn them on before engine start. In the absence of a dedicated beacon it would not be logical to turn on your engine without any signal, as that could be hazardous to unaware bystanders.

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As said, strobes for flight only. Those things on the ramp are blinding. Without a beacon, I turn the nav lights on when about to start the engine. Then strobes when entering the active.

Per Cirrus Checklist, strobes are activated as Step 1 of Engine Start procedure. There’s no other lights available other than Landing, which will be even more ocular disruptive than Strobes.

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Diamond is the same way

(Real SF50 owner/operator)

This is the correct answer. The FARs require that an “anti collision lighting system” be operated any time the engine is running. Since the airplane doesn’t have a beacon, you must use the strobes for this purpose. (You are allowed to turn off the strobes if there’s a safety risk due to dazzling.

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Hello RISCfuture,

Thanks for your reply, that is helpful.

Greetings,

Boudewijn