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VFR REGULATIONS 11 / LEARN · EXPLORE · CHECK

Required aircraft equipment

Match the equipment to this aircraft and this operation.

Checking your account…

Your learning goals

  • Apply day vfr: what the mnemonic points to.
  • Recognize the limits and exceptions that affect this flight.
  • Explain a decision using the scenario and supporting rule.

Day VFR: what the mnemonic points to

For powered civil aircraft with standard U.S. airworthiness certificates, ATOMATOFLAMES is a study aid, not a substitute for the actual list or aircraft requirements.

  • Airspeed indicator; tachometer for each engine; oil-pressure gauge for each pressure-system engine; magnetic direction indicator; altimeter.
  • Temperature gauge for each liquid-cooled engine; oil-temperature gauge for each air-cooled engine; manifold-pressure gauge for each altitude engine.
  • Fuel gauge for each tank; landing-gear position indicator if retractable.
  • Anticollision system for small airplanes certificated after March 11, 1996 under Part 23.
  • Flotation readily available to each occupant and a pyrotechnic signaling device for applicable for-hire overwater flight beyond power-off gliding distance from shore.
  • ELT when §91.207 requires it; approved restraints for occupants age two or older. Shoulder-harness requirements depend on airplane manufacture date: front seats after July 18, 1978; all seats after December 12, 1986.

14 CFR §91.205

Night adds FLAPS

  • Fuses: a spare set or three of each kind required, accessible in flight; circuit-breaker systems do not create a spare-fuse requirement.
  • Landing light: one electric light if operated for hire.
  • Anticollision lights: approved system.
  • Position lights: approved navigation lights.
  • Source: adequate electrical energy for installed electrical/radio equipment.

Night requires the day equipment too. “FLAPS” here names equipment; it does not mean the wing’s flaps.

14 CFR §91.205

Other requirements still count

Type design, the equipment list/KOEL, operating limitations, ADs, and other operating rules can require more. A radio, transponder, or ADS-B may be required for the planned airspace even though not in the basic day list. Use the inoperative-equipment lesson before dispatching with anything broken.

14 CFR §91.205

FLIGHT SCENARIO

What would change your plan?

A friend says no landing light is ever needed for day flying, so a broken one can simply be ignored. Is that a complete decision?

  1. NoticeWhat does this situation require?
  2. VerifyWhat evidence is still missing?
  3. DecideWhat keeps an option open?
Compare your reasoning

No. The day list alone does not resolve aircraft-specific requirements, the planned operation, or the inoperative-equipment process. Check those before deciding.

SUMMARY

Match the equipment to this aircraft and this operation.

No. The day list alone does not resolve aircraft-specific requirements, the planned operation, or the inoperative-equipment process. Check those before deciding.

Before moving on, explain the decision in your own words: what would you verify, and what would make you change the plan?

PRACTICE

Flashcards and knowledge check

Six flashcards, then five questions with explanations.

Enable JavaScript for flashcards and the knowledge check. The lesson and scenario remain available without it.

Sources & lesson notes

Sources & lesson notes

  1. 14 CFR §91.205Verified against eCFR text current through September 15, 2026.

For U.S. private-pilot airplane study. Rules verified against eCFR text current through September 15, 2026, with linked FAA guidance. Scenarios isolate a rule; actual flight decisions require all applicable rules, aircraft limitations, and current information.