← All explained questions · Supplemental · XI — Night Operations
In FAA terminology, 'NIGHT' is defined for purposes of position lights and night currency as
Choices
anytime between 6 PM and 6 AM local.
Time-of-day window is not the FAA definition.
✓ the time between the end of evening civil twilight and the beginning of morning civil twilight, as published in the American Air Almanac.correct
NOTE: night-currency-for-passengers uses the NARROWER 1-hr-after-sunset-to-1-hr-before-sunrise window per 61.57(b)). Per 14 CFR 1.1, 'night' = end of evening civil twilight to beginning of morning civil twilight. Position lights must be on during this period (91.209). For LOGGING night flight time (61.51): same definition. For NIGHT TAKEOFF/LANDING currency for passengers (61.57(b)): NARROWER window of 1 hour after sunset to 1 hour before sunrise. Three different concepts often confused.
only between midnight and 4 AM.
Wrong window.
any time the sun is below the horizon.
Sun-below-horizon = sunset, but 'night' starts later (end of civil twilight).
Why
NOTE: night-currency-for-passengers uses the NARROWER 1-hr-after-sunset-to-1-hr-before-sunrise window per 61.57(b)). Per 14 CFR 1.1, 'night' = end of evening civil twilight to beginning of morning civil twilight. Position lights must be on during this period (91.209). For LOGGING night flight time (61.51): same definition. For NIGHT TAKEOFF/LANDING currency for passengers (61.57(b)): NARROWER window of 1 hour after sunset to 1 hour before sunrise. Three different concepts often confused.
FAA source: 14 CFR 1.1, 61.51, 61.57(b), 91.209; 14 CFR 1.1 General Definitionsbrowse the reference library →
Original study question written for this course — representative of FAA knowledge-test topics, not an actual current FAA exam question.