FAR 23.2530 — External and Cockpit Lighting
FAR 23.2530 explains design rules for airplane position, anti-collision, taxi, landing, and cockpit lighting. Key facts for pilot students and checkride prep.
In Plain English
FAR 23.2530 sets the design and installation standards for external and cockpit lighting on Part 23 airplanes. The goal is simple: lights must help the flightcrew do their job without distracting them, and they must help other pilots see your airplane in time to avoid a collision.
Key requirements:
- Cockpit lighting must be designed so it does not interfere with flightcrew duties (no glare, reflections, or distractions).
- Position and anti-collision lights (when required by Part 91) must have the right intensity, flash rate, color, and field of coverage to give other aircraft time to see and avoid.
- Position lights must include a red light on the left wing, a green light on the right wing, spaced as far apart as practical, and a white light facing aft.
- Taxi and landing lights must provide enough illumination for safe night operations.
- Seaplanes and amphibians must have riding lights showing a white light visible in clear conditions when moored or anchored.
Why it matters: these lighting standards are why your airplane's nav lights and beacon look and behave the way they do — they are a core piece of see-and-avoid safety.
Regulation Text
14 CFR § 23.2530§ 23.2530 External and cockpit lighting.
(a) The applicant must design and install all lights to minimize any adverse effects on the performance of flightcrew duties.
(b) Any position and anti-collision lights, if required by part 91 of this chapter, must have the intensities, flash rate, colors, fields of coverage, and other characteristics to provide sufficient time for another aircraft to avoid a collision.
(c) Any position lights, if required by part 91 of this chapter, must include a red light on the left side of the airplane, a green light on the right side of the airplane, spaced laterally as far apart as practicable, and a white light facing aft, located on an aft portion of the airplane or on the wing tips.
(d) Any taxi and landing lights must be designed and installed so they provide sufficient light for night operations.
(e) For seaplanes or amphibian airplanes, riding lights must provide a white light visible in clear atmospheric conditions.
Oral Exam Questions a DPE Might Ask
Q1What position lights are required on a Part 23 airplane, and where are they located?
Per FAR 23.2530(c), position lights must include a red light on the left side, a green light on the right side spaced as far apart as practicable, and a white light facing aft on the tail or wing tips.
Q2What is the purpose of the intensity, flash rate, and color requirements for anti-collision and position lights?
Under FAR 23.2530(b), those characteristics must give another aircraft sufficient time to see the airplane and avoid a collision.
Q3What lighting requirement applies specifically to seaplanes and amphibian airplanes?
FAR 23.2530(e) requires seaplanes and amphibians to have riding lights that display a white light visible in clear atmospheric conditions.
Studying for a checkride?
Related Sections in Part 23