Inoperative Anticollision Lights (2024)

FAQs

What counts as an anticollision light? ›

Anti-collision lights, also known as Beacon lights or Strobe lights are a set of lights required on every aircraft to improve visibility to others, as well as collision avoidance measures by warning other pilots. Historically they have used incandescent bulbs, but recently Light-emitting diodes have been used.

See id As such, § 91.209(b) requires that an aircraft's anti collision lights be turned on once that aircraft's engine is started for the purpose of air navigation. As a safety precaution, the anticollision lights should be on before starting an engine or causing a propeller or rotor to move.

In the event of failure of any light of the anticollision light system, operations with the aircraft may be continued to a stop where repairs or replacement can be made. You are required to have an operable anti colision light at night, red or white.

If your airplane was certificated after March 11, 1996, then an anticollision light system is required for day VFR operations; AND.

The inoperative instruments and equipment must be removed from the aircraft, the co*ckpit control placarded, and the maintenance recorded in accordance with 14 CFR §43.9; or deactivated and placarded “Inoperative.” If deactivation of the inoperative instrument or equipment involves maintenance, it must be accomplished ...

The approved aircraft lights for night operations are a green light on the right cabin side or wingtip, a red light on the left cabin side or wingtip, and a white position light on the tail. In addition, flashing aviation red or white anticollision lights are required for night flights.

If your aircraft's anticollision lights include both a red rotating beacon and white strobe lights, can you operate in VFR day conditions with only one of those working while the other is inoperative? The short answer is no, unless authorized by a waiver. Placarding the equipment inoperative is not sufficient.

There are two different types of anti-collision lights: beacon and strobe.

Anti-collision lights are (1) red or white and (2) blinking/strobing. Navigation lights are: (1) red, green, and white and (2) solid. Here is a picture from the Rupprecht Drones Night Operations Course that visually explains navigation lights on manned aircraft.

14 CFR 91.205 is also relevant. Parts of it deal with the FAA requirements for both position and anticollision light systems. It states that aircraft may not be operated without position lights. It also states that aircraft may not be operated without anticollision lights installed with some exceptions.

Do anti-collision lights flash? ›

Aircraft Anti-Collision Lighting

These include red and green positioning lights on the wings, red beacon lights on the top and bottom of the fuselage, and flashing white anti-collision strobe lights.

In addition to the red, green, and white position lights (red to port, green to starboard, and white astern), regulations require one anticollision light for aircraft flying at night. This can be either white or red, and may be either a mechanically rotating beacon or a flashing strobe.

No person may operate an airplane over-the-top or at night under VFR unless that airplane is equipped with the instruments and equipment required for IFR operations under § 91.205(d) and one electric landing light for night operations. Each required instrument and item of equipment must be in operable condition.

Aircraft equipped with anti-collision lights are required to operate them at all times, day or night, except when the pilot determines them to be unsafe for operation, for example in clouds or fog where the reflected light would be distracting.

VFR Limitations

The exceptions are when flying far above a cloud deck (that means a solid undercast of clouds), or at night when the ground or ground-based things may not be visible. That's right: VFR pilots are authorized to fly at night as well as in the daytime. Also, they may fly in the rain.

A white navigation light is as far aft as possible on the tail or each wing tip. High-intensity strobe lights are located on the aircraft to aid in collision avoidance. Anti-collision lights are flashing lights on the top and bottom of the fuselage, wingtips and tail tip.

An approved anti-collision strobe light system must project light + or - 30° above and below the horizontal plane of the aircraft. One or more strobe lights can be used. The + or - 75° projected light has been required since July 18, 1977.

A typical commercial strobe light has a flash energy in the region of 10 to 150 joules, and discharge times as short as a few milliseconds, often resulting in a flash power of several kilowatts. Larger strobe lights can be used in “continuous” mode, producing extremely intense illumination.

With the advent of LEDs, white strobes are still somewhat desired. It is common to find structures using white xenon flashers/white strobes during the daytime, and red lights at night. Red lights are commonly found to be used in urban areas, since it is easier for pilots to spot them from above.