FAA lighting requirements for night soaring?

I can't seem to find anywhere in the FARs where it specifies what the
minimum requirements are for night flying in gliders. I found requirements
for powered aircraft, but nothing for gliders. Is an anti-collision light
required by the Faa? Is a landing light required by the FAA to give rides?

Gary Boggs

I have lights on my Salto for night airshows. It took
me about 6 months to push the installation through
the FAA. Here's the basic story:

If your glider is standard airworthiness (not experimental),
it is probably placarded against night flight. Your
only hope is to have it placed in Experimental-Exhibition
category. This change is probably permanent. You
will then be required to provide a program letter annually,
and notify the FAA any time you intend to fly outside
of your operations area. The change to experimental
does NOT relieve you of the original maintenance requirements.
You still must comply with all AD's, and any modifications
(ie, light installation) must be done by STC or the
(now near impossible) field approval.

The limitations imposed by your new operating limitations
may be quite restrictive as to where you may fly, and
for what reasons. (Mine run about 6 pages.)

If your glider is already in Experimental category,
check your operationg limitations for a night flying
clause. If it is there, it will specify the requirements
for night flight (usually requiring comliance with
91.205 and 91.209).

Hope this helps.

Bob C.

At 23:00 20 December 2004, Burt Compton wrote:
Regarding position lights - sunset to sunrise: 91.209
(Plain as day!)

Remember, when it says 'aircraft' the regs apply to
all categories including
gliders. When it says 'airplane', that's a category
and may not include
gliders. Like the left hand pattern rule at non-towered
airports - only for
'airplanes'.(91.126)

I'm looking at my brand new 2005 FAR / AIM book (published
by ASA). For the
first time in a few years, there are lots of minor
changes to the FAR's -
highlighted with a black line in the margins. Plue
the Sport Aircraft / Pilot
additions.

I haven't reviewed it all yet, but the 2005 FAR's needs
a thorough re-read by
all of us, especially CFI's and DPE's.

Towpilots should note the changes about towing 'unpowered
ultralight vehicles'
(61.69 and 91.309). Now we can legally tow a Sparrowhawk
and others.

The right of way rules now require powered parachutes
to yield to gliders.
(91.126). This is good - I once overtook and passed
a powered parachute on
long final, in my glider (in Florida) - had no choice.

Yep - time find the cheaters and read the fine print
by the firelight.

Burt Compton, CFI / DPE
Marfa Gliders, west Texas