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to SureFire,
October 12, 2008 |
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TRUE STORIES |
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Taking Off with SureFire
Aviator's don't leave anything to chance. No wonder so many of them carry SureFires.
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Portable Landing Light
After years of using a bulky MagLite, I finally purchased a SureFire 9P® Original with a high-output lamp. Being a pilot, I enjoy the high output of the light for preflight inspections.
After taking off at 10:00 p.m. on a dark Saturday night with no moon, I had a complete electrical system failure. My panel went black and all of my aircraft lights went out. I quickly grabbed my 9P from my pilot bag and wedged it on the dash so it pointed out the Cessna's window. After I landed, one of the control tower personnel said my light was the brightest aircraft light he'd seen in a while. When I pulled out my 9P and told him that was what he'd seen, he was in total disbelief.
Now I own a SureFire 9P, M6, E1L, and L1. Thanks for making such solid equipment, SureFire.
Charles S.
Villa Park, CA
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Flight Bag Light Saves the Day
I'm a general aviation pilot. Recently, I was celebrating getting my commercial pilot's certificate by flying to Santa Barbara for dinner with two pilot friends of mine. Even though I wasn't the pilot on this flight, I still put my SureFire G2® LED and A2 Aviator® into my flight bag.
After we landed on the runway, we discovered that our landing light and taxi light wouldn't turn on. It was a dark night, and the moon was covered, so the visibility on the ground bad. Plus, some of the taxi lights were out of service as well. A wrong turn at a busy airport like Santa Barbra could cause a major disaster. So, while my friends were wondering what to do, I simply pulled my G2 LED from my bag and stuck it out the cockpit. When I pushed the button, no kidding, the taxi way was totally lighted. In fact, this little flashlight worked better than the original lights on the 1980 Piper.
Using only the G2 LED, we taxied to park in one piece. There are lots of things I learned when I took my flight training, but there's one thing I've learned on my own: Never take off without my SureFire.
Alec W.
Taipei, Taiwan
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No Cracks Slip through the Cracks
I was a structures mechanic for CH-53 helicopters in the Marine Corps, and most of my time involved inspecting airframes of our aircraft. The Corps provided us with regular two-D-cell flashlights, which were really unsuitable for looking in dark areas.
I eventually bought an M2 Centurion®, which was extremely bright. On several occasions, I discovered hairline cracks below the accessory gearbox mounting structure. The cracks were severe enough to warrant a crew to be sent out from the depot-level maintenance for repair. I was only able to find these cracks because of the intense light of the products your company produces.
I recommend these lights to all of my fellow Marines!
Martin R.
Laguna Hills, CA
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Doctor Makes Continent Calls with SureFire
I wanted to write and tell you what a great product the SureFire A2 Aviator® is. I am an American medical student at a university in England that specializes in preparing physicians for practice in underserved areas; as such I undertake as much as 25 percent of my rotations in areas such as Africa, Mexico, South America and the Australian Outback, where both the living and medical facilities leave much to be desired. We are frequently without power, and I have on more than one occasion delivered babies, sutured lacerations, set fractures, and even performed minor surgeries by the light of my A2. Not a day goes by that I do not turn to my SureFire for the best illumination possible in some of the worst situations imaginable!
In addition to this, my wife is a commercially-rated pilot who engages in humanitarian work in many of the areas we visit. She states that her A2, with its ability to provide illumination both close up and far away via the unique combination of LED and incandescent lamps, is the best aviation flashlight she has ever seen, bar none. Just as in my medical work, she receives frequent requests from other pilots as to where we found such an incredible flashlight; one that offers such bright illumination and flexibility of roles in such a small size. Given the variety of equipment she sometimes flies, she states that it is good to know there is always one piece of equipment she can count on — her A2!
We have two children under five years of age that travel with us, and we have never felt more secure than when we have our SureFire A2 Aviators with us to light up the darkest night or most difficult situation. Thanks, SureFire!
Brian & Tami M.
England, Uganda, Mexico, Ecuador, and the Australian Outback
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Frequent Flyer Miles to Afghanistan and Iraq
I cannot say enough good things about my SureFire E2e Executive Elite®! As a C-130 pilot on active duty I used an Air Force issued 2 D-cell Maglite® for over eight years. Not only was it cumbersome to carry in my helmet bag, but between dead batteries and bad bulbs it was notoriously unreliable. During Operation ENDURING FREEDOM we flew most of our missions into Afghanistan at night and the lack of a good flashlight was a big hindrance to my job. It was at that point I knew I needed to find something better.
During my transition from active duty in the Air National Guard, a pilot friend recommend SureFire. After seeing his SureFire 6P™ I went out and got my E2e. One month later my new SureFire was put to the test after my squadron deployed to the Persian Gulf for Operation IRAQI FREEDOM. During 40+ combat missions into Iraq my E2e never failed. It was significantly brighter than my old flashlight, so I was able to shine it through my window onto the wings to check for icing during flight, yet it was still small enough to carry comfortably in the pocket of my flight suit. Throughout numerous pre- and post-flight aircraft inspections, the E2e worked every time, even after I dropped it down the flight deck stairs, out the crew entrance door and onto the ramp. The E2e is so light weight I was able to hold it with my teeth while my flight engineer and I made a hostile environment engine repair.
Since my return stateside I have replaced all of my home and vehicle flashlights with various models of SureFires and I never fly with out my E2e. Several of my squadron mates have even gone out and bought SureFires after seeing mine in action. A SureFire flashlight is definitely one tool no aircrew member should be without.
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Instructor Learns Valuable Lesson
One can never own enough SureFire flashlights. I have owned the practical SureFire 6P™ Original (my first light), the blinding SureFire 9P™ Original (for airsoft), a SureFire G2 Nitrolon® (to keep in the car), a SureFire E1e Executive Elite® (last ditch), and an SureFire E2d Defender® (general purpose). I bought the SureFire A2 Aviator® because the light was designed for aviators. While somewhat costly compared to the other lights, I knew I had to add it to my SureFire family. This light truly served its purpose at the beginning of the year.
At that time, I reported to the airfield to meet with my flight instructor. We needed to prepare my Cessna 182 for take-off at 1900 hours. This was my first night flight evaluation. My instructor used his Mini Maglite® to inspect the aircraft; I used the SureFire A2 Aviator. One can guess who made a better pre-flight inspection. The Mini Maglite could barely illuminate the inside of the engine when we lifted the cowling, while the SureFire A2 Aviator detailed every nut and bolt. But light from the A2 was easily manageable, and did not interfere with our slowly developing night vision.
Take off, climb, and cruise went without a hitch. When we turned back towards the field, the in-cabin red light flickered and then burned out. My instructor handed me his Mini Mag-Lite to continue my navigation. I pulled the A2 from my pocket and as I started to twist the tail cap, he shielded his eyes from the blinding blast of light he expected to receive. However, when he moved his hands, he was treated to the gentle glow of red LEDs from the same flashlight that I had used to perform my preflight check. The look on his face was priceless. It was one of admiration, jealousy, and surprise that I don’t think I'll ever be able to get again. He reached into the bulb/fuse box at the back of the aircraft and changed out the bad bulb in the cabin. The remainder of the flight went without a hitch.
When we returned to the flight school, my instructor asked me to show the senior instructor my light. As I began to show him my flashlight, he pulled his A2 out of his pocket. My instructor ordered his A2 with red LEDs later that week.
Ryan S.
Fayetteville, GA
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SureFire Makes Hard Landing; Refuses to Die
SureFire Makes Hard Landing; Refuses to Die
I am a military helicopter pilot and the one piece of gear I rely on more than any other is my SureFire M2 Millennium® Centurion®. It's brighter, more reliable, and much more durable than anything we are issued.
While conducting flight inspections, I've dropped my light over 20 feet from the top of an aircraft onto a steel flight deck without so much as a flicker. The shock-isolated bezel works as advertised, and the tip-off red filter is easy to turn on/off for white light restrictions at night. I can think of no greater testimony to the quality of your lights than their performance in the harsh environment in which we work: salt air, extreme temperature fluctuations, and punishing helicopter vibrations.
I have a few SureFire lights now because I like them so much. I really don't need them though — my original just won't die! Keep up the great work.
Scott S.
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Crash Landing on the Runway
I am an aircraft maintainer in the U.S. Air Force, and in 2003 I deployed to the Middle East for the beginning of Operation Iraqi Freedom. One of the items I took with me, which I still keep with me to this day,
was one of your C2 Centurion® flashlights. It proved to be the best tool I've ever carried. I used it for everything that I did at night, from finding my
way around my tent, to fixing aircraft when our supply of issued flashlights began to run out.
The C2 proved how durable it was one night, when I was repairing an aircraft that was only a short time away from flying a vital mission. While making my repairs, I accidentally dropped the light down the crew
entry hatch of the aircraft. The light fell fifteen feet onto solid concrete and landed squarely on its head. I climbed down from the aircraft expecting the lens to be busted and the bulb blown, but to my
surprise, it was still on, and the only damage was a tiny scratch on its side. I picked it up and was able to continue my work without missing a beat.
I am currently back in the Middle East, on my seventh rotation, and I am still carrying my most valuable piece of equipment-my SureFire C2.
Justin W.
Wichita, KS
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Increased Light Output Increases Work Output
I work at the only major commercial airline maker in the US, and I help build well-known commercial jets that most of you have flown on. The 2-D flashlights the company provides are a joke — even with brand new batteries. Their output is extremely low, and they’re bulky to use while trying to do several things at once.
I ditched the company-issued lights and now I use my SureFire L1 LumaMax® everyday. This helps me see what I’m doing when I’m drilling and makes it possible to see into the nooks and crannies to make sure everything is okay before putting my work up for inspection. The clip also comes in handy when I need to clip it to the bill of my cap for hands-free operation.
Since using my L1 at work, my jobs get done faster, I have less to rework, and my job is easier.
David S.
Everett, WA
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Flight Light
I'm a pilot in the military who flies a large aircraft. For years I searched for a flashlight that would fit in my pocket and be as bright as those gigantic lights cops carry. Two years ago I found that light-the SureFire L2® LumaMax®. After two years of abuse in my flight suit pocket, going literally everywhere I went, I can still shine my L2 from inside the cockpit, through a one-inch-thick window, onto my wings to check for icing. In the middle of the clouds, in the middle of the night, my little L2 will light up 60 feet of wing from 40 feet away-enough to see clear ice forming on a gray surface. I defy anyone to find another light able to fit in a pocket and do that. And after two years of abuse, there is literally only one tiny scratch in the finish. In short, this little light is unstoppable.
Eric F.
Bellevue, NE
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