Lighting Definitions

[jiott]

Thanks John for a very complete answer.

I purchased a set of Whelan Microburst III wingtip lights for my Kitfox I am now building. They have the red & green lights, a steady white light showing only to the rear, and white strobe lights which can be turned on separetely. The lights are not certified and are only for experimental use.

It sounds like from what has been written on this thread I will be Ok to use them on my experimental at night if I have a full private pilot in the plane (I myself will only have a sport pilot cert). Is my thinking correct?

Jim

[jdmcbean]

Jim,
The simple answer is yes. Most limitations issued with your AW certificate today allow for night VFR if the aircraft is equipped for night flight. On the E-AB the Whelen Microburst will work fine. Don't confuse aircraft certification with pilot ratings... As a Sport Pilot.. YOU are the limiting factor. YOU are limited to Day VFR only... not the aircraft. Conversly, if the pilot is instrument rated and has a current medical but the aircraft is not IFR certified then he cannot fly that aircraft IFR....

[jiott]

My son-in-law has a PPL with instrument rating, current medical and will be getting a tail wheel endorsement. If my SS7 is equipped with the Whelen wingtip lights as I have described and if I install a landing light, I believe he should be able to fly it at night VFR. Is there anything else I need to install to make it night legal for him? I suppose some sort of cockpit or instrument panel lights? What is the minimum I will need for cockpit lighting?

Jim

[t j]

The best explination of night VFR equipment requirement is this article, The night VFR section is at the bottom of the page. http://www.eaa.org/experimenter/arti...04_darside.asp

Then this chart seems to be the best summary of required equipment.
http://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j...ypDMyA&cad=rja

[Esser]

Pardon my ignorance. But why not just upgrade your Sport to Private? I'm from Canada so I don't know exactly all your rules but I would imagine you would have something like 20 more hours of instruction or something? Then you can flight night VFR and perhaps your insurance would be less. Plus you have your own plane so you can get a freelance instructor for 60ish bucks. What are the plus sides in the USA for staying as a sport pilot?

[Dorsal]

I think mostly the need for a third class medical.

[jiott]

Yep, that's it-the medical. I'm 67 years old in good health but don't want the hassles and expense of medicals. I want to fly for a good many years yet and the sport pilot is the most sure way of doing it. For me night flying is not needed at all, but I want the plane to be legal for my son-in-law on the occasion he wants to fly at night. Also for resale value.

Jim