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SWITCHES

There are of course a number of switches these control such things as:-

STROBE LIGHTS:- The high intensity white flashing lights seen on aircraft, used day and night.

BEACON:- A red flashing light usually fitted to the tail fin.

NAVIGATION LIGHTS:-

A steady red light on the port, (left wing).
A steady green light on the starboard, (right wing).
A steady white light, facing rearwards on the tail.

LANDING LIGHT:- A powerful beamed light, used when landing at night, or for conspicuity when approaching an airfield.

FUEL PUMP:- An emergency electrical pump used as a back up for the engine driven mechanical pump. Always switched on during take off and landing in case the mechanical pump fails.

PITOT HEATER:- This is an electric heating element mounted inside the external air speed sensor (known as a pitot tube). It is used to prevent ice building up causing the sensor to fail.

MASTER SWITCH:- Removes the battery from all electrical services. It will be switched off whilst the aircraft is not in use and in an emergency to isolate the battery in the event of a forced landing.

ALTERNATOR:- Unlike a road vehicle, the alternator, (battery charging device), can be switched off, whilst still running the electrical services from the battery alone. The Master Switch and the Alternator switch are mechanically linked together to prevent the alternator being on line without the battery.

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