From time to time, I receive emails from non-SpadneXt users asking if it is possible to turn off the up/down LEDs on the FIPs.  Frankly speaking, I didn’t care much whether they were lit or not in the past.  So typically I would give them an answer NO.

Until recently I have my cockpit layout properly,  I then understand why they have the needs.  Even so, my answer was still a NO unfortunately.

But there was one time I was joking to a friend saying that “You could probably cover the up/down buttons with some tapes.”

Hm…after a second thought, I told myself it wasn’t a bad idea at all.

Now, I am doing this to all my FIPs.

By simply covering the buttons with masking tapes (or something similar) is an even better approach than just turning off the up/down LEDs in my opinion because the buttons themselves are in translucent white, which causes distractions even when their back-lights are off.

Truly, the masking tapes in a way look a little unnatural and unappealing, but they are really doing a good job in a dim environment, which not only enhances overall clarity and attractiveness, but also keeps the button’s functions intact.

Actually, they become unnoticeable to me after a day or two.