Certified Flight Instructor (CFI) Practice Exam

For VFR night flight, which of the following is an additional requirement beyond VFR day flight?

1. Fuel level gauge

2. Emergency locator transmitter (ELT)

3. Landing lights

4. Oil pressure gauge

The correct answer is: Landing lights

For VFR night flight, the requirement for landing lights is necessary to enhance visibility and safety during operations after dark. While VFR day flight may not mandate specific lighting equipment, night operations significantly increase the risks associated with visibility, and adequate lighting becomes crucial for both the pilot and the aircraft. Landing lights assist in illuminating the runway environment during approach and landing, helping the pilot to clearly see potential obstacles, the runway itself, and ensuring effective communication of the airplane's intentions to other pilots and ground personnel. It is a vital safety feature that allows pilots to enhance their situational awareness in low-light conditions. Other equipment, such as an oil pressure gauge and fuel level gauge, are indeed necessary for the safe operation of the aircraft but are not specifically additional requirements imposed by VFR night flight regulations. Similarly, while an Emergency Locator Transmitter (ELT) is important for search and rescue, it is a requirement for all flights and not unique to night flying. Therefore, the requirement for landing lights represents a key distinction for safe VFR night operations.