Flashlight requirement for night VFR

Planedriver28

Planedriver28

Well-Known Member
Ok, I have heard ever since I started flying, that 'you are supposed to carry at least a 2 d cell battery flashlight when flying at night.' And at one time, I could probably find it in the regs in 2 seconds. However, I have spent an hour looking, and have finally found it in the FAR's for part 135. Anyone know if/ where the requirement is for part 91?

Thanks!
 
Planedriver28 said:
Ok, I have heard ever since I started flying, that 'you are supposed to carry at least a 2 d cell battery flashlight when flying at night.'

However, I have spent an hour looking, and have finally found it in the FAR's for part 135.
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If you're not flying under 135, then that doesn't apply to you. Even then it may not apply. I fly 135 and we have no such requirement.
 
Thank you for the prompt reply. I should have elaborated further. I understand that it is not always required for part 135, but 135.159 is the only place i found anything... i guess that was my point.
Thanks!
 
Sounds like one of those flight school policies that has been transformed via a series of miscommunications into an FAR urban legend.

I use a 3-AAA LED headlamp for my night flights.
 
I remember vaguely there is a regulation for part 121 or 135 (I can't remember which) and there is two different ones. One that requires each crewmember to have a flashlight and the other requires a flashlight to be installed on the aircraft if it has over a certain amount of passenger seats.
 
oktex88 said:
I remember vaguely there is a regulation for part 121 or 135 (I can't remember which) and there is two different ones. One that requires each crewmember to have a flashlight and the other requires a flashlight to be installed on the aircraft if it has over a certain amount of passenger seats.
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Well I guess 135.159 is the one that requires the flightlight be installed on the aicraft. Anyone know the reg that requires each crewmember to have one?
 
oktex88 said:
Well I guess 135.159 is the one that requires the flightlight be installed on the aicraft. Anyone know the reg that requires each crewmember to have one?
Click to expand...

§ 121.549 Flying equipment.
(a) The pilot in command shall ensure that appropriate aeronautical charts containing adequate information concerning navigation aids and instrument approach procedures are aboard the aircraft for each flight.
(b) Each crewmember shall, on each flight, have readily available for his use a flashlight that is in good working order.
 
Subpart F--LARGE AND TURBINE-POWERED MULTIENGINE AIRPLANES AND FRACTIONAL OWNERSHIP PROGRAM AIRCRAFT

§ 91.503 Flying equipment and operating information.

(a) The pilot in command of an airplane shall ensure that the following flying equipment and aeronautical charts and data, in current and appropriate form, are accessible for each flight at the pilot station of the airplane:

(1) A flashlight having at least two size “D” cells, or the equivalent, that is in good working order.

(2) A cockpit checklist containing the procedures required by paragraph (b) of this section.

(3) Pertinent aeronautical charts.

(4) For IFR, VFR over-the-top, or night operations, each pertinent navigational en route, terminal area, and approach and letdown chart.

(5) In the case of multiengine airplanes, one-engine inoperative climb performance data.​
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Looks like it's a Part 91 rule only for the bigguns.
 
poser765 said:
So i guess I am still good just using my cell phone.
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Um, no.

Always have a good flashlight (with spare batteries) and a backup, like a small pinch light (Photon Micro-Light, et al). I've got one of those Photon Micro-Lights velcroed to the side of my headset, very handy.

I do wonder what would satisfy the "or the equivalent" of a 2-D cell flashlight.
 
Lip lights are where it's at.

HeadsetUpgrademd.jpg
 
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