Private Pilot ACS · Area XI

PA.XI Night Operations

1 task and 15 knowledge, risk management and skill elements. Each code below is a link target: a code from your test report, such as PA.XI.A.K1, lands on its own line.

Written by the FlightWay team. Regulations checked against the eCFR and faa.gov on 11 November 2026. Not a substitute for the regulation itself or your instructor.

Private Pilot Airman Certification Standards, FAA-S-ACS-6C (November 2023 edition), effective May 31, 2024 and incorporated by reference in 14 CFR 61.14. Text from the FAA’s ACS page, checked on 11 November 2026. If the FAA has published a newer edition since, the codes and wording may differ: the FAA document is the authority.

PA.XI.A Night Operations

To determine the applicant exhibits satisfactory knowledge and risk management associated with night operations.

PA.XI.A.K1Knowledge: Physiological aspects of vision related to night flying.
PA.XI.A.K2Knowledge: Lighting systems identifying airports, runways, taxiways and obstructions, as well as pilot controlled lighting.
PA.XI.A.K3Knowledge: Airplane equipment and lighting requirements for night operations.
PA.XI.A.K4Knowledge: Personal equipment essential for night flight.
PA.XI.A.K5Knowledge: Night orientation, navigation, chart reading techniques and methods for maintaining night vision effectiveness.
PA.XI.A.K6Knowledge: Night taxi operations.
PA.XI.A.K7Knowledge: Interpretation of traffic position and direction based solely on position lights.
PA.XI.A.K8Knowledge: Visual illusions at night.
PA.XI.A.R1Risk management: Collision hazards.
PA.XI.A.R2Risk management: Distractions, task prioritization, loss of situational awareness, or disorientation.
PA.XI.A.R3Risk management: Effect of visual illusions and night adaptation during all phases of night flying.
PA.XI.A.R4Risk management: Runway incursion.
PA.XI.A.R5Risk management: Night currency versus proficiency.
PA.XI.A.R6Risk management: Weather considerations specific to night operations.
PA.XI.A.R7Risk management: Inoperative equipment.

Other areas in this standard

PA.I Preflight Preparation9 tasks PA.II Preflight Procedures6 tasks PA.III Airport and Seaplane Base Operations2 tasks PA.IV Takeoffs, Landings, and Go-Arounds14 tasks PA.V Performance Maneuvers and Ground Reference Maneuvers2 tasks PA.VI Navigation4 tasks PA.VII Slow Flight and Stalls4 tasks PA.VIII Basic Instrument Maneuvers6 tasks PA.IX Emergency Operations7 tasks PA.X Multiengine Operations4 tasks PA.XII Postflight Procedures2 tasks

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Last updated 11 November 2026.