Airman Certification Standards
ACS AI.II.M
Night Operations
Knowledge
Physiological aspects of vision related to night flying.
Lighting systems identifying airports, runways, taxiways and obstructions, as well as pilot controlled lighting.
Airplane equipment and lighting requirements for night operations.
Personal equipment essential for night flight.
Night orientation, navigation, chart reading techniques and methods for maintaining night vision effectiveness.
Use of instruments to verify the aircraft attitude at night.
Visual illusions at night.
Night taxi operations.
Interpretation of traffic position and direction based solely on position lights.
Risk Management
Inoperative equipment.
Weather considerations specific to night operations.
Collision hazards.
Distractions, task prioritization, loss of situational awareness, or disorientation.
Effect of visual illusions and night adaptation during all phases of night flying.
Runway incursion.
Night currency versus proficiency.
Skill
Teach at least one of the elements listed in K1 through K9.
Retrieved from ecfr.gov on July 17, 2026.