Airman Certification Standards
ACS PA.XI.A
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.
Night taxi operations.
Interpretation of traffic position and direction based solely on position lights.
Visual illusions at night.
Risk Management
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.
Weather considerations specific to night operations.
Inoperative equipment. [Intentionally left blank]. Private Pilot for Airplane Category ACS (FAA-S-ACS-6C)64
Retrieved from ecfr.gov on July 17, 2026.