6G XC Planning - Night Ops

Question 0

• DUPLICATE*

2. Position lights are required to be on during what period of time? (14 CFR 91.209)

Answer 0

No person may operate an aircraft during the period from sunset to sunrise unless the aircraft has lighted position lights.

Question 1

1. Explain the arrangement and interpretation of the position lights on an aircraft. (FAA-H-8083-3)

Answer 1

A red light is located on the left wing tip, a green light is located on the right wing tip and a white light is located on the tail. If you see both a green and red light on another aircraft, then the other aircraft is generally approaching your position. If you only see a green light, then the other aircraft is moving left to right in relation to your position. If you only see a red light, then the aircraft is moving right to left in relation to your position.

Question 2

• DUPLICATE*
  3. When operating an aircraft in, or in close proximity to, a night operations area, what is required of an aircraft? (14 CFR 91.209)

Answer 2

The aircraft must:
• Be clearly illuminated,
• Have position lights, or
• Be in an area marked by obstruction lights.

Question 3

4. When are aircraft that are equipped with an anti-collision light system required to operate that light system? (AIM 4-3-23; 14 CFR 91.209)

Answer 3

Aircraft equipped with an anti-collision light system are required to operate that light system during all types of operations (day and night). However, the anti-collision 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.

Question 4

5. What are the different types of rotating beacons used to identify airports? (aim 2-1-10)

Answer 4

a. White and green—lighted land airport
b. *Green alone—lighted land airport
c. White and yellow—lighted water airport
d. *Yellow alone—lighted water airport
e. Green, yellow, and white—lighted heliport
f. White (dual peaked) and green—military airport
* Note: “Green alone” or “yellow alone” beacons are used only in connection with a white-and-green, or white-and-yellow beacon display, respectively.

Question 5

6. Describe several types of aviation obstruction lighting. (AIM 2-2-3)

Answer 5

a. Aviation red obstruction lights—Flashing aviation red beacons and steady burning aviation red lights.
b. High intensity white obstruction lights—Flashing high intensity white lights during daytime with reduced intensity for twilight and nighttime operation.
c. Dual lighting—A combination of flashing aviation red beacons and steady burning aviation red lights for nighttime operation and flashing high intensity white lights for daytime operation.

Question 6

• DUPLICATE*

7. What color are runway edge lights? (aim 2-1-4)

Answer 6

Runway edge lights are white. On instrument runways, however, yellow replaces white on the last 2,000 feet or half the runway length, whichever is less, to form a caution zone for landings.

Question 7

8. What color are the lights marking the ends of the runway? (AIM 2-1-4)

Answer 7

The lights marking the ends of the runway emit red light toward the runway to indicate the end of the runway to a departing aircraft, and green light outward from the runway end to indicate the threshold to landing aircraft.

Question 8

• DUPLICATE*

9. Describe runway end identifier lights (REIL). (AIM 2-1-3)

Answer 8

REILs are installed at many airfields to provide rapid and positive identification of the approach end of a particular runway. The system consists of a pair of synchronized flashing lights located laterally on each side of the runway threshold. REIL may be either omnidirectional or unidirectional facing the approach area.

Question 9

• DUPLICATE*

10. What color are taxiway edge lights? (AIM 2-1-11)

Answer 9

Taxiway edge lights emit blue light and are used to outline the edges of taxiways during periods of darkness or restricted visibility conditions.

Question 10

• DUPLICATE*

11. What color are taxiway centerline lights? (AIM 2-1-11)

Answer 10

Taxiway centerline lights are steady-burning, green light.

Question 11

• DUPLICATE*

12. How does a pilot determine the status of a light system at a particular airport? (FAA-H-8083-3)

Answer 11

The pilot needs to check the A/FD and any NOTAMs to find out about available lighting systems, light intensities and radio-controlled light system frequencies.

Question 12

• DUPLICATE*

13. How does a pilot activate a radio-controlled runway light system while airborne? (AIM 2-1-9)

Answer 12

The pilot activates radio-controlled lights by keying the microphone on a specified frequency. The following sequence can be used for typical radio-controlled lighting systems:

a. On initial arrival, key the microphone seven times to turn the lights on and achieve maximum brightness;
b. If the runway lights are already on upon arrival, repeat the above sequence to ensure a full 15 minutes of lighting; then
c. The intensity of the lights can be adjusted by keying the microphone 7, 5, or 3 times within 5 seconds.