When are position lights required to be on?

• A. Between sunset and sunup
• B. Only during daylight
• C. Only on the ground
• D. Any time the aircraft is moving

Answer: (A)

Position lights are there to make your aircraft conspicuous to others and to help they understand your orientation, especially when visibility is reduced. The regulatory requirement is to have these lights on from sunset to sunrise, which covers dusk, night, and dawn. That timing ensures your aircraft remains visible during the hours when pilots are more likely to miss smaller aircraft in low light. They aren’t limited to daylight or only when the airplane is on the ground, and they aren’t tied to movement alone; the requirement focuses on the period from sunset to sunrise.