AIRCRAFT LIGHTING
In order to see other aircraft more clearly, regulations require that all aircraft operating during the night hours have special lights and equipment. The requirements for operating at night are found in Title 14 of the Code of Federal Regulations (14 CFR) part 91. In addition to aircraft lighting, the regulations also provide a definition of nighttime, currency requirements, fuel reserves, and necessary electrical systems.
Position lights enable you to locate another aircraft, as well as help you determine its direction of flight. The approved aircraft lights for night operations are a green light on the right cabin side or wingtip, a red light on the left cabin side or wingtip, and a white position light on the tail. In addition, flashing aviation red or white anticollision lights are required for night flights. These flashing lights can be in a number of locations, but are most commonly found on the top and bottom of the cabin. [Figure 13-5]
VISUAL ILLUSIONS
There are many different types of visual illusions that you can experience at any time, day or night. The next few paragraphs cover some of the illusions that commonly occur at night.
AUTOKINESIS
Autokinesis is caused by staring at a single point of light against a dark background, such as a ground light or bright star, for more than a few seconds. After a few moments, the light appears to move on its own. To prevent this illusion, you should focus your eyes on objects at varying distances and not fixate on one target, as well as maintain a normal scan pattern.
NIGHT MYOPIA
Another problem associated with night flying is night myopia, or night-induced nearsightedness. With nothing to focus on, your eyes automatically focus on a point just slightly ahead of your aircraft. Searching out and focusing on distant light sources, no matter how dim, helps prevent the onset of night myopia.