LED Lighting and NVGs

AIM ¶ 2-2-4 — LED Lighting and NVGs

AIM 2-2-4 explains why some LED lights are invisible to night vision goggles (NVGs) and recommends unaided scanning for low-altitude NVG operations.

In Plain English

AIM 2-2-4 alerts pilots that some LED lighting systems emit wavelengths outside the combined visible and near-infrared spectrum detected by night vision goggles (NVGs). That means a light you'd normally see with the naked eye may be completely invisible through NVGs.

Key points to know:

The FAA updated specs for LED red obstruction lights so they show up under certain NVG systems — but other colors may still not be visible.
This is a real hazard for low-altitude NVG flying (think tower lights, vehicle lights, airport lighting, hazard markers).
The AIM recommends (it is not a regulation) that air carriers and operators — including Part 91 operators — build procedures into their manuals or SOPs to perform periodic unaided scanning when:
- Operating at low altitudes, and
- Performing reconnaissance of landing areas.

Operationally, the takeaway is simple: don't trust NVGs alone. Briefly looking around the goggles with the naked eye lets you catch LED-equipped obstacles or traffic that the NVGs literally cannot show you.

Would you catch this on the written? Try 5 questions below — no signup

AIM Source Text

FAA AIM ¶ 2-2-4

2-2-4. 2-2-4. LED Lighting Systems Certain light-emitting diode (LED) lighting systems fall outside the combined visible and near-infrared spectrum of night vision goggles (NVGs) and thus will not be visible to a flightcrew using NVGs. The FAA changed specifications for LED-based red obstruction lights to make them visible to pilots using certain NVG systems, however, other colors may not be visible. It is recommended that air carriers/operators—including part 91 operators—who use NVGs incorporate procedures into manuals and/or standard operating procedures (SOPs) requiring periodic, unaided scanning when operating at low altitudes and when performing a reconnaissance of landing areas. Previous | Top | Next AIM | ATPUBS | FAA | Send your comments regarding this website.

Read the AIM? Now prove it

Would you catch these on the written?

Five FAA-written-style questions. Instant explanations, every answer cites its source — no account needed.

Live demo · no account needed

1/5

You are flying VFR in Class E airspace at 8,500 feet MSL during the day. What are your minimum visibility and cloud clearance requirements?

Keys A–D answer · Enter continues

PPL5 sample questions — in the app, the drill engine covers 88 PPL topics and every answer cites its source

Oral Exam Questions a DPE Might Ask

Q1Why might some LED lights not be visible through night vision goggles?

Per AIM 2-2-4, certain LED lighting systems emit light outside the combined visible and near-infrared spectrum that NVGs detect, so those lights will not appear to a flightcrew using NVGs.

Q2Has the FAA done anything to make obstruction lights more NVG-compatible?

Per AIM 2-2-4, the FAA changed specifications for LED-based red obstruction lights so they are visible to pilots using certain NVG systems. However, LEDs of other colors may still not be visible through NVGs.

Q3What practice does the AIM recommend for operators using NVGs at low altitudes?

Per AIM 2-2-4, it is recommended that air carriers and operators — including Part 91 operators — incorporate procedures into manuals or SOPs requiring periodic unaided scanning when operating at low altitudes and when conducting reconnaissance of landing areas.

Related Paragraphs in AIM Chapter 2

¶ 2-2-1

Aeronautical Light Beacons

¶ 2-2-2

Code Beacons and Course Lights

¶ 2-2-3

Obstruction Lights