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Best Practices in Aircraft Lighting

by Darren Smith
from IFR Checkride Reviewer
CFIDarren.com Newsletter, July 22, 2011

The following is sourced from FAA written exams, the FAR and the AIM. Most of these lights are required to be operable and if not, the aircraft is not legal for flight. This includes the beacon (rotating or red strobe), anti-collision strobes (night flight if aircraft certified after 1971 and day flight if aircraft is certified after 1996), position lights (for all night flight), and landing light (if flight is for hire). For your preflight considerations, you should ensure that all lights are operating properly prior to flight.

Phase of Flight	Lights in use
Engines Running	Aircraft Beacon On
Evening, Sunset to Sunrise	Position Lighting On + other lighting
Taxi	All exterior lighting ON except position lights during day Exception: Strobe lights off at night so as not to blind other pilots
Position & Hold	All exterior lighting ON except position lights during day
Takeoff, Landing	All exterior lighting ON except position lights during day
Climb out / Descent	All exterior lighting ON except position lights during day
Cruise Flight	Strobes ON + Landing and/or Taxi Light ON*

* This is not a popular position but here's my evidence that you should use a Landing Light ON at all times. FAA Bird Strike Study cites 80% less bird strikes, NTSB Midair Collision Study cites 37% less midair collisions and FAA Operation "Lights On" requires landing and/or taxi light ON during cruise flight. FBOs will not teach this as this chews up landing lights at a cost of about $50 a bulb. I always fly with a landing light on to enhance my aircraft's visibility in cruise flight. I recommend you do it also.

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