UA.II.B.K6: Operator equipment for night flight.

ACS Area II — Airspace Classification and Operating Requirements Task B: Airspace Operational Requirements References: 14 CFRCode of Federal RegulationsCloseThe federal rulebook where Part 107, Part 89, Part 48, and other aviation rules live. part 71; ACAdvisory CircularCloseFAA guidance that explains acceptable ways to comply with rules or understand FAA procedures. 107-2; AIMAeronautical Information ManualCloseFAA operational guidance and glossary material used to understand aviation procedures and terminology.; FAAFederal Aviation AdministrationCloseThe U.S. aviation regulator responsible for Part 107 rules, airspace, and pilot certification processes.-H-8083-25; FAAFederal Aviation AdministrationCloseThe U.S. aviation regulator responsible for Part 107 rules, airspace, and pilot certification processes.-G-8082-22; SAFOSafety Alert for OperatorsCloseFAA safety alert that shares operational safety information. 10015

Key Concepts

Airspace awareness drives equipment choices at night

Night operations demand precise airspace awareness. Controlled airspace comprises Class A, B, C, D, and E; uncontrolled is Class G. Your night-flight equipment (charts, electronic flight bag, or onboard navigation tools) must clearly depict where controlled airspace begins and ends so you remain compliant after dark. Large portions of the U.S. are Class E; in most areas its base is 1,200 feet AGLAbove Ground LevelCloseAltitude measured above the ground directly below the aircraft., but in many others the base is the surface or 700 feet AGLAbove Ground LevelCloseAltitude measured above the ground directly below the aircraft.. Where charts do not depict a Class E base, Class E begins at 14,500 feet MSLMean Sea LevelCloseAltitude measured from average sea level, not from the ground below you.. Class E typically extends up to, but not including, 18,000 feet MSLMean Sea LevelCloseAltitude measured from average sea level, not from the ground below you., and all airspace above FLFlight LevelCloseAltitude expressed using a standard pressure setting, mainly relevant to higher-altitude crewed aviation. 600 is Class E. Class G extends from the surface to the base of overlying Class E. These floors and ceilings affect how close you can operate to controlled airspace at night and what authorizations or communications other aircraft around you may be using. Keep your charts current and legible in low light to avoid straying into controlled airspace inadvertently at night.^[1][4]

Tower hours and surface area changes after dark

At some airports, the control tower does not operate 24 hours a day. During the hours the tower is not in operation, the Class E surface area rules or a combination of Class E rules to 700 feet AGLAbove Ground LevelCloseAltitude measured above the ground directly below the aircraft. and Class G rules to the surface become applicable; consult the Chart Supplement U.S. for the specifics and published times. Practically, this means your night-flight planning tools must show current tower hours and the nighttime surface classification so you can anticipate the presence (or absence) of ATCAir Traffic ControlCloseThe system that manages controlled airspace, traffic flow, and aircraft separation services. services and the mix of traffic patterns. Expect faster traffic near primary airports: unless otherwise authorized or required by ATCAir Traffic ControlCloseThe system that manages controlled airspace, traffic flow, and aircraft separation services., no person may operate an aircraft at or below 2,500 feet above the surface within 4 NMNautical MileCloseA distance unit used in aviation. One nautical mile is about 1.15 statute miles. of the primary airport of a Class D airspace area at more than 200 knots. Knowing this helps you judge closing speeds and the importance of conspicuity and precise position keeping at night near airports.^[6]

Navigation equipment checks and GPS reliability at night

If you rely on RNAVArea NavigationCloseA navigation method that lets aircraft fly any desired path within navigation coverage. capability for situational awareness, verify the system is operating correctly and that the correct airport/runway data are loaded before takeoff. When TSOTechnical Standard OrderCloseFAA minimum performance standard for specified aviation equipment.-C129() equipment is used solely to satisfy RNAVArea NavigationCloseA navigation method that lets aircraft fly any desired path within navigation coverage./RNPRequired Navigation PerformanceCloseA performance-based navigation specification for how accurately aircraft must navigate. requirements, a preflight RAIMReceiver Autonomous Integrity MonitoringCloseGPS integrity monitoring used in aviation navigation. prediction is required. If a predicted continuous loss of RAIMReceiver Autonomous Integrity MonitoringCloseGPS integrity monitoring used in aviation navigation. greater than five minutes exists for any part of the intended flight, delay, cancel, or re-route to meet RAIMReceiver Autonomous Integrity MonitoringCloseGPS integrity monitoring used in aviation navigation. requirements. You may satisfy predictive RAIMReceiver Autonomous Integrity MonitoringCloseGPS integrity monitoring used in aviation navigation. via model-specific RAIMReceiver Autonomous Integrity MonitoringCloseGPS integrity monitoring used in aviation navigation. software, the FAAFederal Aviation AdministrationCloseThe U.S. aviation regulator responsible for Part 107 rules, airspace, and pilot certification processes. Service Availability Prediction Tool, Flight Service, third-party interfaces using FAAFederal Aviation AdministrationCloseThe U.S. aviation regulator responsible for Part 107 rules, airspace, and pilot certification processes./VOLPE data, or the receiver’s installed RAIMReceiver Autonomous Integrity MonitoringCloseGPS integrity monitoring used in aviation navigation. prediction capability (with checks at intervals not to exceed 60 NMNautical MileCloseA distance unit used in aviation. One nautical mile is about 1.15 statute miles. along the route, ensuring “Terminal” or “Approach” RAIMReceiver Autonomous Integrity MonitoringCloseGPS integrity monitoring used in aviation navigation. at the ETAEstimated Time of ArrivalCloseThe expected arrival time at a point or destination. for each airport checked). These checks reduce the risk of GPSGlobal Positioning SystemCloseSatellite navigation used by many drones for position hold, navigation, and return-to-home features.-based situational awareness degrading at night when visual cues are limited.^[3]

Class-specific considerations that shape night planning

• Class A spans 18,000 feet MSLMean Sea LevelCloseAltitude measured from average sea level, not from the ground below you. up to and including FLFlight LevelCloseAltitude expressed using a standard pressure setting, mainly relevant to higher-altitude crewed aviation. 600 and includes airspace over waters within 12 NMNautical MileCloseA distance unit used in aviation. One nautical mile is about 1.15 statute miles. of the U.S. coast; operations must be IFRInstrument Flight RulesCloseRules for operating primarily by instruments. On the exam, IFR often appears in weather, traffic, and airspace context. unless otherwise authorized under 14 CFRCode of Federal RegulationsCloseThe federal rulebook where Part 107, Part 89, Part 48, and other aviation rules live. §§91.167–91.193 and §71.33. Although well above small UASSmall Unmanned Aircraft SystemCloseA small drone plus the control and communication links used to operate it. altitudes, it frames the top of the controlled structure and appears uncharted on VFRVisual Flight RulesCloseRules for flight using visual reference and minimum weather conditions. products, which matters for cross-checking vertical references in your planning tools.^[5]
• Class B generally runs from the surface to 10,000 feet MSLMean Sea LevelCloseAltitude measured from average sea level, not from the ground below you. around the busiest airports. An ATCAir Traffic ControlCloseThe system that manages controlled airspace, traffic flow, and aircraft separation services. clearance is required to operate within it, and VFRVisual Flight RulesCloseRules for flight using visual reference and minimum weather conditions. operations carry a “clear of clouds” requirement. Your night planning should either secure the proper authorization or use charted alternatives to avoid entering Class B inadvertently.^[5]
• To avoid major controlled traffic flows under and around Class B, many TACs depict VFRVisual Flight RulesCloseRules for flight using visual reference and minimum weather conditions. Flyways on the reverse side. These suggest routes are not sterile; expect congestion. Some areas include defined VFRVisual Flight RulesCloseRules for flight using visual reference and minimum weather conditions. corridors—airspace through Class B with vertical and lateral limits—in which aircraft may operate without an ATCAir Traffic ControlCloseThe system that manages controlled airspace, traffic flow, and aircraft separation services. clearance or communication, and which do not extend to the surface. At night, use these charted planning tools to remain clear of primary flows while maintaining compliance.^[8]