Airplane Nav Lights Using 555 Timer IC

In this project, we are going to make a very simple RC Airplane Nav Lights Circuit using 555 timer IC, to control 5mm LEDs. The ICs are used to switch the LEDs on and off to create a strobe light effect like Airplane Navigation lights. These can be used in Model Airplanes and give them a very stunning look.

The components used for this project are very cheap and easily available.

For this project, You will need

• 2x 555 timer IC
• 2x Resistors (1 MΩ)
• Green LED
• White LED
• Red LED (optional, can be used in place of white or green LED)
• Capacitors (350nF and 100nF)
• Bread Board
• Jumper Wires
• 12V Power Supply or Battery

Here is the circuit diagram of the project. You will need this to do all the connections.

Take a breadboard and insert the 555 timer IC as shown.

Using jumper wires, do wiring according to the circuit diagram.

Insert the 1 megaohm resistor between the pins 2 and 3 of the IC, as shown in the circuit diagram.

Insert one of the capacitor between pins 2 and 1(GND) of the IC.

Now take another 555 IC and make the same circuit alongside the previous one. These two ICs will then be connected via jumper wires to make a strobe light effect.

Now, insert the two LEDs between the Pins 3 of both of the ICs. We just need to use the PIN 3 of both ICs to connect two LEDs in opposite polarity. This enables only one LED to be ON at a time and thus creates a switching effect.

Here I am using a 5V power supply for the circuit, but you can also use a battery to power it. NO problem at all.

Now supply power to the circuit. The LEDs should light up.

The circuit is ready. Enjoy the lights! Next steps? Install the LEDs in a Model Airplane or a Radio Control Plane to give them a visually appealing look.