Cessna Aircraft Strobe System Buyer's Guide

Wingtip Strobes for Early Model Single Engine through 1961

Excluding any modified wingtip, use position lights at the wingtip extremity. To convert to Whelen strobes, the following is recommended:

Wingtip Strobes for Single Engine 1962 through 1969

Requires modification to the factory wingtip to accommodate the light assemblies. To convert to Whelen strobes, the following is recommended:

Wingtip Strobes for Single Engine 1970 and 1971

Excluding any modified wingtip, also use position lights at the wingtip extremity, however, the retainers are too short to accommodate a custom installation. The Model A625 strobe lights are mounted aft of the position light lens retainers. To convert to Whelen strobes, the following is recommended:

Wingtip Strobes for Single Engine 1972 and Later

Excluding any modified wingtip, spare wires were installed at the factory from a switch Position on the instrument panel to the farthest rib in each wingtip. This allows mounting of the power supplies adjacent to the strobe light, which reduces installation time significantly. Wingtip strobes were also an option in the early 70’s. We estimate that 40-50% had factory installed systems.

Replacement Parts for Aircraft with Factory Installed Systems:

Recommended Parts for Aircraft without Factory Installed Systems:

Rotating Beacon Replacement

The round mechanical rotating beacon was used on early model single engine Cessnas from the late 50’s through 1966. Twin Engine Cessnas started using the round mechanical rotating beacon in the 50’s. Later model 400 Series used a teardrop beacon. Check existing beacon configuration before ordering.

To convert the existing beacon to a self-contained LED flashing beacon:

To convert the existing beacon to a self-contained strobe beacon:

Quartz Halogen Flasher Replacement for Single Engine Vertical Fin, 1967 & later

In 1967, Cessna changed from a rotating beacon to a quartz halogen Flasher beacon. This has a 150 watt, 28 VDC quartz halogen lamp, or a 125 watt, 14 VDC quartz halogen lamp, operated from a solid-state electronic module. To convert to a Whelen strobe, the following is recommended:

Cessna 300A, B, C & D Twin Engines

The system for these airplanes requires fabricated brackets for affixing the power supplies and for attaching the strobe to a new Position light bracket. To convert to Whelen strobes, the following is recommended:

The Remaining Cessna 300-400 Series Twin Engines

The system for these airplanes requires the same hardware as above, however, some had factory installed Grimes assemblies from approximately 1969 and later. To replace the existing system, all parts must be replaced and wiring must be changed. New fabricated brackets are required.

Cessna Citation Series

Whelen has an STC compliant system to convert factory installed Grimes wingtip strobes. The initial STC #ST22BO was for Citation 550, S550 & 560, Serial #128 thru 256. The following is recommended.

System P/N – 01-0716164-03, (STC #ST22BO) includes:

The second system, STC #ST0010BO, covers Serial #257 & later, and any aircraft that installed Cessna Service Bulletin #SB560-33-08 from Serial #0001 thru #0256.

System P/N – 01-0716164-05, (STC #ST0010BO) includes:

Cessna Citation Series

Whelen has an STC compliant system to convert factory installed Grimes wingtip strobes. The initial STC #ST22BO was for Citation 550, S550 & 560, Serial #128 thru 256.

The following is recommended:

Oscillating Beacon Replacement -

To convert from the existing mechanical oscillating beacon used on some 400 series as well as the entire family of Citations (excluding CJs).

*Note: check existing mounting configuration before ordering.

To convert the existing beacon to an LED flashing beacon:

To convert the existing beacon to an Quartz Halogen flashing beacon: