By Tom Hail, LUNAR #440
April 15 is our next night launch and those new to the club may not be aware of the excellent article by Bill Orvis located at our newsletter archives.
http://www.starship.org/LUNAR/LUNARclips/v5/v5n2/Lights.html
Requirements for a night launch rocket is simply that the lighting be visible through all phases of operation: countdown on the pad (LCO has to be able to see them before he pushes the button), operate through boost (visibility isn’t an issue with the brightness of most motors), coast, deployment of recovery system and return to earth (whether or not the recovery system worked or not).
Another consideration of course is that your rocket loaded with lights and batteries is not too heavy for the motor to be used. Check the specs at the above URL or your motor documentation.
For rockets over 1500 grams (52 oz), Jack is trying to have the waiver from the FAA to require only a white strobe without the other FAA spec anti-collision lights. More information will follow when the waiver is complete.