I once owned a Cherokee that had both a feeble rotating red beacon on the tail and a separate strobe underneath. But AFAIK all Diamonds have wingtip strobes of one for anti-colliion lights. What in your mind is a "beacon" that is always on?MichaelM wrote: ↑Mon Jul 17, 2023 2:14 am
So for me. Beacon on always. Strobes go on as soon as they can without being a nuisance to others. If it's a bright day out and no one is around I turn them on right away. If its darker or there are a lot of people close to me, I generally turn them on as soon as I am away from others... but for sure before taking a runway.
Seems like 91.209(b) would permit that, leaving it up to the pilot's judgment. I am curious as to what others have been instructed...
The reg says while operating, which does include ground operations. Turning it off in IMC at night can be necessary. I hear this thing about turning off on the ground because of annoyance to others, but that is hardly a real safety issue. Others' strobes never bother me nor has anyone ever asked me to turn mine off.