Aircraft Lighting

Aircraft lighting serves multiple purposes, from identifying an aircraft's location to discerning its direction of flight.

Aircraft Lighting

Introduction to Aircraft Lighting

  • Aircraft lighting allows pilots and aircraft to see and be seen.
    • Internal lighting illuminates instruments.
    • External lighting illuminates ground hazards while simultaneously allowing for identifying other aircraft and their orientation.
  • Lights can provide critical traffic information, so their use is regulated for both day and night operations.
  • The Federal Aviation Administration further encourages light use through recommended practices.
  • Test your understanding of Aircraft Lighting by completing the knowledge quiz, applying your knowledge in the interactive scenario, comparing your performance against the applicable Airman Certification Standards, and concluding with the topic summary to reinforce the key concepts before moving on to the next lesson.
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    Aircraft Lighting

    Aircraft Lighting Key Highlights

    • Aircraft lighting systems improve visibility, collision avoidance, navigation awareness, and operational safety during ground and flight operations.
    • Navigation lights identify aircraft orientation and are required during night operations and periods of reduced visibility.
    • Anti-collision lights such as rotating beacons and strobe lights increase aircraft visibility to other aircraft and ground personnel.
    • Landing lights and taxi lights improve runway and taxiway visibility during takeoff, landing, and ground operations.
    • Cockpit and instrument lighting systems support pilot visibility and instrument interpretation during night operations.
    • Recognition lights and logo lights may improve aircraft visibility or operational identification in certain environments.
    • Improper lighting use can reduce pilot night vision adaptation or create glare and distraction during flight operations.
    • Aircraft lighting systems rely on electrical power and may be affected by system malfunctions or bulb failures.
    • Pilots should understand lighting requirements, operational procedures, and emergency considerations for aircraft-specific systems.
    • Understanding aircraft lighting improves situational awareness, collision avoidance, and overall flight safety.
    Aircraft Lighting

    Exterior Aircraft Lighting

    • Airplane Flying Handbook, Aircraft Position Lights
      Airplane Flying Handbook,
      Aircraft Position Lights
    • Externally, lighting consists of anti-collision and navigation (position) lights.

    • Anti-Collision Lights:

      • An aircraft anti-collision light system may use one or more flashing or rotating aviation-red beacons, aviation-white strobe lights, or an approved combination, as established by the aircraft's approved configuration and POH (Pilot's Operating Handbook) or AFM (Aircraft Flight Manual).
        • A red flashing or rotating anticollision light is commonly called the beacon or rotating beacon. Its location and whether it physically rotates or flashes electronically depend on the aircraft's approved installation; white flashing anticollision lights are commonly called strobes.
      • They improve aircraft conspicuity to other pilots and ground personnel. When an aircraft equipped with an anticollision-light system is operated, the system generally must be lighted during both day and night operations, subject to the pilot-in-command safety exception in Title 14 of the Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) 91.209(b).
      • Care should be used during their operation at night when in the vicinity of others while on the ground
        • Their use on the ground should be limited to when required (when an engine is running) if their use otherwise risks blinding pilots operating nearby
        • In this way, when conducting a preflight, quickly check the function of the lights and then turn them off for the remainder of the walk-around

    • Interpreting Aircraft Exterior Lighting:

      • Aircraft flying from left to right will show the right wing and tail to pilots
        • Pilots should expect to see a green light trailed by a red or white steady or strobing light
      • Aircraft flying from right to left will show the left wing and tail to pilots
        • Pilots should expect to see a red light trailed by a red or white steady or strobing light
    Aircraft Lighting

    Interior Aircraft Lighting

    • Interior lighting varies greatly between aircraft
      • Lighting may include a spotlight or lights for individual instruments
    • Use the lowest settings available to preserve night vision
    Aircraft Lighting

    Aircraft Lighting Regulations

    • For powered civil aircraft with standard-category U.S. airworthiness certificates, FAR 91.205 identifies the lighting equipment required for the operation. Night VFR (Visual Flight Rules) requires the applicable day-VFR equipment plus approved position lights and an approved aviation-red or aviation-white anti-collision light system. An aircraft operated for hire at night also requires at least one electric landing light. The approved configuration and any applicable MEL (Minimum Equipment List), KOEL (Kinds of Operations Equipment List), or FAR 91.213 determination must also be considered.
    • Aircraft position lights are required to be lighted on aircraft operated on the surface and in flight from sunset to sunrise (or in Alaska, during the period when a prominent unlighted object cannot be seen from 3 statute miles or the sun is more than 6° below the horizon).
      • Note the sunset and sunrise is more restrictive than Federal Aviation Regulation (FAR) 91.1's definition of night
      • The military is given an exception to civilian lighting rules under certain conditions, which is one of the reasons why flight through a Military Operating Area can be particularly hazardous
    • Under FAR 91.209(b), an aircraft equipped with an anti-collision light system generally must operate with that system lighted during both day and night operations. The pilot in command may turn it off when operating conditions make doing so safer. Engine operation is not the regulatory trigger, although use of a rotating beacon while an engine is running is recommended to warn ground personnel.
      • An aircraft anti-collision light system may use aviation-red beacons, aviation-white strobes, or an approved combination, and approved systems may have intensities higher than the regulatory minimum.
        • Many aircraft have both a rotating beacon and a strobe light system.
        • When a beacon and strobes are installed and approved as components of one required anticollision-light system, the pilot may not treat one component as an optional substitute for another. Dispatch with an inoperative component requires authority applicable to that aircraft and operation; 14 CFR 91.205(c)(3) separately permits continuation only to a stop where repair or replacement can be made after a failure in operation.
      • Supplementary strobe lights should be turned off on the ground when they adversely affect ground personnel or other pilots and in flight when there are adverse reflections from clouds.
      • The pilot in command may turn off the anticollision lights when the PIC (Pilot in Command) determines that operating conditions make doing so safer (14 CFR Section 91.209).
      • In the event of failure of any light of the anti-collision light system, operations may continue to a stop where repairs or replacements can be made.
    • If the aircraft is operated for hire at night, one electric landing light is required.
    • No person may:
      • Park or move an aircraft in, or in dangerous proximity to, a night flight operations area unless:
        • The aircraft is clearly illuminated.
        • The aircraft has lighted position lights.
        • The aircraft is in an area marked by obstruction lights.
      • Anchor an aircraft unless:
        • It has lighted anchor lights; or
        • It is in an area where anchor lights are not required on vessels.
          • Taxi lights should be used for ground movement during darkness when appropriate, subject to the aircraft's procedures and the need to avoid adversely affecting other people.
    • Pilots should exercise judgment to avoid impairing the vision of airborne pilots, pilots on the ground, and ground personnel, especially at night or when light reflects from clouds in instrument meteorological conditions.
    Aircraft Lighting

    Use of Aircraft Lighting

    • The FAA has a voluntary pilot safety program, Operation Lights On, to enhance see-and-avoid concepts.
    • Pilots are encouraged to turn on their landing lights during takeoff, following their clearance, or when they begin the takeoff roll (non-towered airports).
    • The FAA recommends that pilots turn on landing lights when operating below 10,000 feet, day or night, especially within 10 miles of an airport, in reduced visibility, or where flocks of birds may be expected, such as coastal areas, lake areas, and refuse dumps.
    • Although turning on aircraft lights enhances the see-and-avoid concept, pilots should not become complacent about looking for other aircraft.
      • Not all aircraft are equipped with lights, and some pilots may not have their lights turned on.
    • Pilots should observe aircraft manufacturers' recommendations for landing lights and electrical systems operation.
    • Propeller and jet blast forces generated by large aircraft have overturned or damaged several smaller aircraft taxiing behind them.
      • To avoid similar results and prevent upsets and injuries to ground personnel from such forces, the Federal Aviation Administration recommends that air carriers and commercial operators turn on their rotating beacons any time their aircraft engines are in operation.
      • General aviation pilots using rotating beacon-equipped aircraft are also encouraged to participate in this program to alert others to the potential hazards.
      • Since Operation Lights On is a voluntary program, exercise caution and do not rely solely on the rotating beacon to indicate that aircraft engines are in operation.
    • Before taxi, the FAA recommends turning on navigation, position, anticollision, and logo lights, if equipped. The taxi light can signal that the aircraft is moving or intends to move.
      • Strobe lights should not be illuminated during taxi whenever they adversely affect the vision of other pilots or ground personnel. Separately, under FAR 91.209(b), the pilot in command may turn off an anti-collision light system when operating conditions make doing so safer, subject to the aircraft's approved configuration and operating limitations.
    • Pilots should illuminate all exterior lights when taxiing on or across any runway.
      • Exterior lighting increases the conspicuousness of the aircraft to controllers and other pilots landing, taxiing, or crossing the runway.
      • Pilots should comply with equipment operating limitations and consider the effects of landing and strobe lights on other aircraft nearby.
    • When entering the departure runway for takeoff or to "line up and wait," all lights, except for landing lights, should be illuminated to make the aircraft conspicuous to Air Traffic Control and other aircraft on approach.
    Aircraft Lighting

    Aircraft Lighting Interactive Scenario

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    Aircraft Lighting

    Aircraft Lighting Knowledge Check

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    Core Knowledge Review

    Review foundational knowledge, key concepts, and practical considerations. Topic: Aircraft Lighting.

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    Aircraft Lighting

    Aircraft Lighting Conclusion

    • Aircraft lighting is important in assisting in seeing and avoiding other aircraft
      • Remember that an installed anti-collision light system generally must be lighted whenever the aircraft is operated, subject to the PIC safety exception in FAR 91.209(b), while position lights are required from sunset to sunrise
      • Still, leaving them on continuously, especially with Light Emitting Diodes (LEDs) lighting becoming more prevalent, is worthy of consideration, as long as they do not cause blinding at night.
    • Consider the importance of Visual Scanning and Collision Avoidance at night as it pertains to the use and interpretation of aircraft lighting
    • Realize that aircraft lighting can contribute to landing and night illusions.
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    Aircraft Lighting

    Aircraft Lighting References