When must NAV lights be turned on?

NAV lights, or navigation lights, must be turned on from sunset to sunrise. This requirement is primarily for safety and visibility reasons, ensuring that other aircraft can see your airplane during low-light conditions. Navigation lights enhance situational awareness for both pilots and air traffic, helping prevent collisions by indicating the aircraft's position and direction.

While NAV lights are helpful during flight, they are especially critical during nighttime operations when visibility is limited. The regulation specifically mandates their use from sunset to sunrise, defining a clear timeframe where the lights are necessary for safe operation.

In terms of operating on the ground, while other types of lights may be used for safety on the taxiways or runways, NAV lights are not required until dark. Similarly, even during the day, when visibility is generally good, the mandate to activate NAV lights does not extend to that timeframe. Additionally, requiring NAV lights only during bad weather is not correct, as they serve a vital role in low light conditions regardless of weather conditions.