SESKStuff Everyone Should Know
SESK: Stuff Everyone Should Know · sesk.info/pilot-anticollision-lights-day-night

If your airplane has anti-collision lights, when must they be on?

Day and night, unless the PIC turns them off for safety.

Start playing free

  1. Only from sunset to sunrise
  2. Only in Class B airspace
  3. Day and night, unless off for safety ✔

Why: Rule 91.209 requires an equipped airplane to have its anti-collision lights on. The PIC may turn them off if conditions make that safer, like strobes reflecting in clouds. Position lights are required from sunset to sunrise.

Huh, didn't know that: The AIM asks pilots to turn off strobe lights on the ground when they would bother other pilots.

The dad joke
Why are anti-collision lights so popular? They really know how to stand out in a crowd.
Like this card?
Play the game

References

Answer: Day and night, unless off for safety. Rule 91.209 requires an equipped airplane to have its anti-collision lights on. The PIC may turn them off if conditions make that safer, like strobes reflecting in clouds. Position lights are required from sunset to sunrise.

  1. AIM Chapter 4 Section 3, Airport Operations www.faa.gov/air_traffic/publications/atpubs/aim_html/chap4_section_3.html
    aircraft equipped with an anti-collision light system are required to operate that light system during all types of operations (day and night)
    Checked 2026-10-09.
  2. 14 CFR 91.209 Aircraft lights www.ecfr.gov/current/title-14/section-91.209
    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
    Checked 2026-10-09.

Think this answer is wrong? Tap "Challenge this answer" on the card in the game and tell us why.

Test yourself in the game

Flying & DronesFlying an airplane VFR by day, how much fuel must remain after reaching your first planned landing?Flying & DronesFlying VFR at night, what minimum fuel reserve does an airplane need after the first planned landing?Flying & DronesIn Class G airspace above 1,200 feet AGL but below 10,000 feet MSL, what is the day VFR visibility minimum?

That's stuff everyone should know.