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SESK: Stuff Everyone Should Know · sesk.info/pilot-red-light-distorts-charts

What is the downside of red cockpit lighting at night?

It distorts colors on charts, such as magenta looking red.

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  1. It ruins night vision
  2. It distorts colors on aeronautical charts ✔
  3. It drains the battery faster

Why: Red light helps protect night vision, but the AFH says it distorts chart colors: magenta and yellow both look red, and cyan looks black. Dim white light should be available for reading charts.

Huh, didn't know that: The AIM says you can reach a moderate degree of dark adaptation in 20 minutes under dim red cockpit light.

The dad joke
I read my chart under red light and everything looked like a stop sign.
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References

Answer: It distorts colors on aeronautical charts. Red light helps protect night vision, but the AFH says it distorts chart colors: magenta and yellow both look red, and cyan looks black. Dim white light should be available for reading 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
    Red light illumination distorts colors (magenta and yellow pigments both appear as red, and cyan pigment appears black)
    Checked 2026-10-09.

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