14 CFR 91.209 — Aircraft Lights
Position lights are required from sunset to sunrise. Anti-collision lights are required for all operations unless the PIC determines they constitute a safety hazard.
Regulation Text
No person may, during the period from sunset to sunrise, operate an aircraft unless it has lighted position lights. No person may, operate an aircraft that is equipped with an anti-collision light system, unless it has lighted anti-collision lights. However, the anti-collision lights need not be lighted when the pilot in command determines that, because of operating conditions, it would be in the interest of safety to turn the lights off.
Note: This is an excerpt. Refer to the full regulation in eCFR for the complete text.
Plain-English Explanation
From sunset to sunrise, your position lights (red on left wingtip, green on right, white on tail) must be on. Anti-collision lights (red or white strobes and/or beacons) should be on whenever the aircraft is in operation, day or night, but the PIC can turn them off if they create a safety hazard — like when taxiing in fog where the strobes might blind other pilots. Good practice: beacon on when the engine is running, strobes on when on a runway or in the air.
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Related Regulations
14 CFR 91.205 — Powered Civil Aircraft with Standard Category Airworthiness Certificates: Instrument and Equipment Requirements
Lists required instruments and equipment for VFR day, VFR night, and IFR flight. Memorized via ATOMATOFLAMES, FLAPS, and GRABCARD.
§91.11914 CFR 91.119 — Minimum Safe Altitudes
1,000 feet above obstacles in congested areas (within 2,000 ft horizontal), 500 feet AGL over uncongested areas, and safe altitude over open water or sparsely populated areas.
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