 Pilot Requirements  Equipment and Lighting Flying at night requires additional pilot skills and a private  pilot certificate. It is possible to have a private pilot certifi cate  with a “Night Flight Prohibited” limitation if the pilot did  not complete night flight training and is restricted from night  flight, similar to that for Sport Pilots. This is an option for  pilots who want a private pilot certificate but do not plan to  fly at night. If the pilot first obtains the private certifi cate  with the night limitation, the limitation can be removed after  completing the private pilot WSC night training. The training  that must be accomplished at night for WSC private pilot  night flying privileges is:  light, landing lights, adequate electrical source for lights, and  spare fuses. The standard instruments required for instrument  flight under 14 CFR part 91 are a valuable asset for aircraft  control at night but are not required.  Aircraft position lights are required on all aircraft from sunset  to sunrise in an arrangement similar to those on boats and  ships. A red light is positioned on the left wing tip, a green  light on the right wing tip, and a white light on the tail.  [Figures 12-2  and  12-3]  This arrangement allows the pilot  to determine the general direction of movement of other  aircraft in flight. If both position lights of another aircraft  are observed, a red light on the right and a green light on the  left, the aircraft is flying toward the pilot and could be on a  collision course. Similarly, a green light on the right and a  red light on the left indicate the aircraft is flying in the same  direction as the pilot observing the lights. Landing lights  are not only useful for taxi, takeoffs, and landings, but also  provide an additional means by which aircraft can be seen  at night by other pilots.  [Figure 12-4] Sport pilots or private pilots with the night limitation are not  allowed to fly at night; however, they can fly after sunset  during civil twilight until night if the aircraft is properly  equipped with position lights. Civil twilight is when the sun  is less than 6° below the horizon, about 30 minutes before  sunrise or after sunset, and varies by latitude throughout  the year. It is the time when there is enough light outdoors  for activities to be conducted without additional lighting.  [Figure 12-1]  If it is overcast and visibility is inadequate,  good pilot judgment would dictate not to fly after sunset.  The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has initiated  a voluntary pilot safety program called “Operation Lights  On.” The “lights on” idea is to enhance the “see and be seen”  concept of averting collisions in the air and on the ground and  to reduce the potential for bird strikes. Pilots are encouraged  to turn on their landing lights when operating within 10 miles  of an airport. This is for both day and night or in conditions  of reduced visibility. This should also be done in areas where  flocks of birds may be expected. Title 14 of the Code of Federal Regulations (14 CFR) part 91  specifies the minimum aircraft equipment required for fl ight  during civil twilight and night flight. This equipment includes  only position lights. Normal standard category aircraft are  required to have this additional equipment as would also be  recommended for WSC night flight, including anti-collision  Although turning on aircraft lights supports the “see and be  seen” concept, pilots should not become complacent about  keeping a sharp lookout for other aircraft. Most aircraft lights  blend in with stars or city lights at night and go unnoticed  1. One cross-country flight over 75 nautical miles (NM)  total distance, and 2. Ten takeoffs and landings (each landing involving a  flight in the traffic pattern) at an airport. Figure 12-1.  Day, twilight, and night time. 12-2 Aircraft must have position lights Sport pilots and private pilots with night restriction can fly Night Sunset/Sunrise Civil Twlight Day