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Outside Alaska, when does rule 91.209 require an aircraft's position lights in flight?

From sunset to sunrise outside Alaska.

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  1. From sunset to sunrise ✔
  2. Only during civil night
  3. Only inside Class B airspace

Why: Outside Alaska, rule 91.209 requires lighted position lights from sunset to sunrise. Alaska instead uses a visibility and sun-angle test stated in the same rule.

Huh, didn't know that: If an airplane has anticollision lights, they must be on too, but the pilot in command may turn them off when that is safer.

The dad joke
My position lights come on at sunset. They're the only thing in my house with a bedtime.
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References

Answer: From sunset to sunrise. Outside Alaska, rule 91.209 requires lighted position lights from sunset to sunrise. Alaska instead uses a visibility and sun-angle test stated in the same rule.

  1. FAA Aeronautical Information Publication, ENR 1.1 General Rules www.faa.gov/air_traffic/publications/atpubs/aip_html/part2_enr_section_1.1.html
    Aircraft position lights are required to be lighted on aircraft operated on the surface and in flight from sunset to sunrise.
    Checked 2026-10-09.

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