the preflight visual inspection of the airplane, and the red  light is used when performing cockpit operations. It is also  recommended to have a spare set of batteries for the flashlight  readily available. electronic glide slope or visual approach slope indicator  (VASI) is available, it should be used. If navigation aids  (NAVAIDs) are unavailable, use the flight instruments to  assist in maintaining orientation and a normal approach.  Anytime position in relation to the runway or altitude is in  doubt, execute a go-around. Since the red light is non-glaring, it will not impair night  vision. Some pilots prefer two flashlights, one with a white  light for preflight and the other a penlight type with a red  light. The latter can be suspended by a string from around the  neck to ensure the light is always readily available. One word  of caution: if a red light is used for reading an aeronautical  chart, the red features of the chart will not show up. Bright runway and approach lighting systems, especially  where few lights illuminate the surrounding terrain, may  create the illusion of being lower or having less distance to  the runway. In this situation, the tendency is to fly a higher  approach. Also, flying over terrain with only a few lights  makes the runway recede or appear farther away. With  this situation, the tendency is to fly a lower-than-normal  approach. If the runway has a city in the distance on higher  terrain, the tendency is to fly a lower-than-normal approach.  A good review of the airfield layout and boundaries before  initiating any approach helps maintain a safe approach angle. Aeronautical charts are essential for night cross-country  flight and, if the intended course is near the edge of the chart,  the adjacent chart should also be available. The lights of  cities and towns can be seen at surprising distances at night,  and if this adjacent chart is not available to identify those  landmarks, confusion could result. These checklist items are  not just for night flying, they are required for day light flying  also. Regardless of the equipment used, organization of the  flightdeck eases the burden and enhances safety. Organize  equipment and charts and place them within easy reach prior  to taxiing. Illusions created by runway lights result in a variety  of problems. Bright lights or bold colors advance the  runway, making it appear closer. Night landings are further  complicated by the difficulty of judging distance and the  possibility of confusing approach and runway lights. For  example, when a double row of approach lights joins the  boundary lights of the runway, there can be confusion where  the approach lights terminate and runway lights begin. Under  certain conditions, approach lights can make the aircraft  seem higher in a turn to final, than when its wings are level. Title 14 of the Code of Federal Regulations (14 CFR) part  91 specifies the basic minimum airplane equipment that is  required for night flight. This equipment includes only basic  instruments, lights, electrical energy source, and spare fuses. The standard instruments required by 14 CFR part 91 for  instrument flight are a valuable asset for aircraft control at  night. Title 14 CFR part 91 specifies that during the period  from sunset to sunrise operating aircraft are required to have a  functioning anti-collision light system, including a flashing or  rotating beacon and position lights. The anti-collision lights  however need not be lighted when the pilot in command (PIC)  determines that, because of operating conditions, it would be  in the interest of safety to turn the lights off. Airplane position  lights are arranged similar to those of boats and ships. A red  light is positioned on the left wingtip, a green light on the  right wingtip, and a white light on the tail.  [Figure 10-2] Before beginning a night flight, carefully consider personal  equipment that should be readily available during the flight to  include a flashlight, aeronautical charts and pertinent data for  the flight, and a flightdeck checklist containing procedures for  the following tasks, which can be found in 14 CFR part 91: This arrangement provides a means to determine the general  direction of movement of other airplanes in flight. If both  a red and green light of another aircraft are observed, and  the red light is on the left and the green to the right, the  airplane is flying the same direction. Care must be taken not  to overtake the other aircraft and maintain clearance. If red  were on the right and green to the left, the airplane could be  on a collision course. At least one reliable flashlight is recommended as standard  equipment on all night flights. A reliable incandescent or  light-emitting diode (LED) flashlight able to produce white/ red light and blue for chart reading is preferable. The flash  light should be large enough to be easily located in the  event it is needed. The white light is used while performing  10-4 • Before starting engines • Before takeoff •  Cruise • Before landing • After landing • Stopping engines •  Emergencies Pilot Equipment Airplane Equipment and Lighting