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For night flights, what kind of flashlight does the FAA recommend?

A dimmable one with white and red light, plus spare batteries.

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  1. A bright white-only flashlight
  2. A dimmable flashlight with white and red light ✔
  3. A fixed-brightness red-only penlight

Why: The AFH recommends at least one reliable flashlight on every night flight, ideally dimmable with white and red light. White is for the preflight walk-around, red for the cockpit, dim white for charts.

Huh, didn't know that: The AFH suggests drawing course lines on night charts in black, so they stand out in low light.

The dad joke
I brought two flashlights on my night flight. One for the airplane and one to find the other flashlight.
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References

Answer: A dimmable flashlight with white and red light. The AFH recommends at least one reliable flashlight on every night flight, ideally dimmable with white and red light. White is for the preflight walk-around, red for the cockpit, dim white for charts.

  1. Airplane Flying Handbook FAA-H-8083-3C, Chapter 11 www.faa.gov/sites/faa.gov/files/regulations_policies/handbooks_manuals/aviation/airplane_handbook/12_afh_ch11.pdf
    A reliable incandescent or light-emitting diode (LED) dimmable flashlight able to produce white/red light is preferable.
    Checked 2026-10-09.

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