Aircraft Lights

FAR 91.209 — Aircraft Lights

FAR 91.209 explains when pilots must use position, anchor, and anticollision lights. Learn night lighting rules for your checkride and written exam.

In Plain English

FAR 91.209 sets the rules for when aircraft lights must be on, both on the ground and in flight.

From sunset to sunrise (or in Alaska, when a prominent unlighted object can't be seen from 3 statute miles away or the sun is more than 6° below the horizon), you may not:

Operate an aircraft without lighted position lights (red, green, and white nav lights).
Park or move an aircraft in or near a night flight operations area unless it is clearly illuminated, has lighted position lights, or is in an area marked by obstruction lights.
Anchor an aircraft (seaplanes) unless it has lighted anchor lights or is in an area where vessels don't need anchor lights.

Separately, if the aircraft is equipped with an anticollision light system (strobes or rotating beacon), it must be on whenever the aircraft is operated — day or night. The pilot-in-command may turn them off if operating conditions (like flight in clouds where strobes cause disorientation) make it safer to do so.

This rule matters operationally because it ensures other pilots and ground personnel can see your aircraft, reducing collision risk.

Regulation Text

14 CFR § 91.209

§ 91.209 Aircraft lights. No person may: (a) During the period from sunset to sunrise (or, in Alaska, during the period a prominent unlighted object cannot be seen from a distance of 3 statute miles or the sun is more than 6 degrees below the horizon)— (1) Operate an aircraft unless it has lighted position lights; (2) Park or move an aircraft in, or in dangerous proximity to, a night flight operations area of an airport unless the aircraft— (i) Is clearly illuminated; (ii) Has lighted position lights; or (iii) is in an area that is marked by obstruction lights; (3) Anchor an aircraft unless the aircraft— (i) Has lighted anchor lights; or (ii) Is in an area where anchor lights are not required on vessels; or (b) Operate an aircraft that is equipped with an anticollision light system, unless it has lighted anticollision lights. However, the anticollision 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. [Docket 27806, 61 FR 5171, Feb. 9, 1996]

Oral Exam Questions a DPE Might Ask

Q1When are position lights required to be on?

Per FAR 91.209, position lights must be lighted from sunset to sunrise whenever you operate, park, move, or anchor an aircraft (with specific Alaska timing exceptions).

Q2When must the anticollision lights be on, and when may they be turned off?

FAR 91.209 requires anticollision lights to be on anytime an aircraft so equipped is operated, day or night. The PIC may turn them off when operating conditions make it safer, such as flight in clouds.

Q3What are your options for parking an aircraft near a night flight operations area after sunset?

Under FAR 91.209, the aircraft must either be clearly illuminated, have its position lights lighted, or be located in an area marked by obstruction lights.

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Related Sections in Part 91

§ 91.1

Part 91 Applicability