📘14 CFR §91.209 – Aircraft Lights

🚩 Overview

Proper use of aircraft lighting is essential for safe operations, especially during nighttime, low visibility conditions, and to enhance collision avoidance. Pilots must understand and comply with these lighting requirements.

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✅ Key Operational Requirements

🌙 1. Position Lights (Navigation Lights)

• Required during:

  • Sunset to sunrise (nighttime operations).

• Lights include:

  • Red (left wing), Green (right wing), White (tail).

⚡ 2. Anti-Collision Lights

• Required during:

  • Day and night operations (if equipped), unless determined by the PIC that they constitute a safety hazard (e.g., causing vertigo in clouds).

• Anti-collision lights can be red or white rotating beacons or strobes.

🚨 3. Exceptions

• A pilot-in-command may turn off anti-collision lights if operating them would compromise safety (e.g., reflections causing visual disorientation).

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🛩️ Example Scenario

You're preparing for a night flight. At sunset, before taxiing, verify that your position (nav) lights are illuminated and your anti-collision (strobe or rotating beacon) lights are turned on. If, during flight in low-visibility conditions, you determine that strobes cause a distraction or visual impairment, you have authority to turn them off for safety.

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📌 CFI Pro Tips

• Nighttime Procedures: Reinforce with your students the habit of turning on position lights and anti-collision lights during preflight and pre-taxi checks, especially approaching dusk.

• Judgment and Safety: Train students to assess when anti-collision lights might create safety issues and empower them to make informed decisions to mitigate risks.

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📚 Further Reading and Official References

• 14 CFR §91.209 (Full FAA Regulation): https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-14/chapter-I/subchapter-F/part-91/subpart-C/section-91.209

• FAA Aeronautical Information Manual (AIM) – Aircraft Lighting: https://www.faa.gov/air_traffic/publications/atpubs/aim_html/chap4_section_3.html