Lighting Question

[UND84]

Hello,
I am sure this is a simple question but I want to clarify something. I earned my private recently in a Cessna 152. When I would fly day time vfr, I would turn on the anticollision light which was a red blinking light on the top of the vertical stabilizer. There is the acronym for day time vfr equipment and I am sure most of you are familiar with it. Tomato Flames. My instructor always had me say Tomaato Flames with the extra a. This was for anticollision lights.The night acronym is flaps. In this acronym, the anticollision lights is included. My question is why is the light required during the day? I am reading 91.205 and I see that for small civil airplanes certified after March 11, 1996, in accordance with part 23 of this chapter, an approved aviation red or aviation white anticollision light system must be used. That plane was probably certified way before then so that confuses me. I am now flying Piper Warriors and they use the strobe lights which is the white anticollision light. With the MEL, you can fly the Warrior during the day with them inoperative. I am just wondering what in the FAR's requires these lights to be turned on? Is it the vfr day type certification? If someone could please explain this I would greatly appreciate it!

 

[Flymach2]

Hi...

As you indicate, the anti-collision light system is required as stipulated under § 91.205. FAR Part 23 refers to requirements needed in order for that particular aircraft to meet airworthiness standards for Normal, Utility and Aerobatic categories. In part, the aircraft is required to have an anti-collision light system installed and if the aircraft was originally certificated without the anti-collision light system, an STC is required to comply with these airworthiness standards.

Additionally, equipment required by § 91.205 is not authorized to be included on an MEL, so I'm a bit unsure why you mention that your particular aircraft MEL provides for the anti-collision light system to be inoperative. However, if the anti-collision system becomes inoperative, the aircraft may continue to a place where repairs can be completed.

Does the aircraft have an aviation red anti-collision system,(rotating beacon), in addition to an aviation white, (strobe light), anti-collision system? Only one is required and subsequently would allow for one to be inoperative under § 91.213.

Regards

 

[UND84]

Thank you for responding. So the reason that the anticollision light is required is due to Part 23 which they write about in 91.205? The Warrior does not have a red anti-collision light. I am flying at the University of North Dakota and their Warriors only have strobes.

 

[Buzo]

Look at 91.209 under anti collision lights. If they are installed they must work.

 

[KickSave]

91.205 says:

An Anti Collision Light System(a rotating red beacon or white strobes) is required for VFR day operation on any plane certificated after March 11, 1996. That means that older planes are not required to have an anti collision light system to fly VFR day, under part 91. Older planes are not required to have Anti Collision lights to operate during the day.

Any plane (of any age) is required to have anti collision lights to fly VFR at night under part 91.

91.209 says:

Any aircraft that HAS an anti collsion light system, must have them lighted, to operate during the day or night (unless the pilot determines that would effect safety, such as in heavy fog).

To summarize:

If you have A/C lights, you have to use them unless it would be unsafe.

If your plane is newer than March 11 1996, you MUST have A/C lights, and they must be on, during the day.

To fly at night, if your plane is of any age, you must have A/C lights, and they must be turned on. (Again, except when satefy dictates they be off)

Finally, 91.209 says that any plane of any age must have lighted position lights (nav lights) to operate from sunset to sunrise (night).

Hope that clarifies things

 

[UND84]

Hi,
That helps so much! Thank you. So a really old plane without anti-collision lights could fly day vfr and still be legal? But if the plane had the lights, they would have to be on? Thanks again.

 

[Night_Flight]

There has been some concerns on MEL 33-3 Anti-collision lights on the Seminoles (PA-44).

F.A.R. 91-205 (11) reads: For small civilian airplanes certified after
March 11, 1996, In accordance with part 23 of this chapter, an approved aviation red or aviation white anticollision light system. In the event of failure of any light of the anitcollision light system, operation of the aircraft may continue to a location where repairs or replacement can be made.

Our PA-44 aircraft where certified on March 10, 1978 - Consequently, this FAR does not apply. If we where flying a newly certified aircraft such as a Cirrus this FAR would apply. Additionally, the MMEL allows us to fly with the anticollision lights MEL'ed. The MMEL is an FAA approved document that coincides with the FAR's.

Remember the MEL states: May be inoperative for day operations only..