CA.I.B.K3aFAA-S-ACS-7B · Nov 2023Knowledge
a. Flying with inoperative equipment
Equipment requirements for day and night VFR flight, including: a. Flying with inoperative equipment
Bottom line
Except as provided in 14 CFR 91.213(d), no person may take off an aircraft with inoperative instruments or equipment installed unless the listed conditions are met. Under 14 CFR 91.213(d), the inoperative instruments and equipment must be removed from the aircraft with the cockpit control placarded and maintenance recorded, or deactivated and placarded "Inoperative."
Key numbers
| Number | What it means |
|---|---|
| At least two size "D" cells or the equivalent, in good working order, accessible at the pilot station | Night flashlight |
| Each required instrument and item of equipment must be in operable condition | Night/OTT VFR |
FAA references
- 14 CFR 91.213 (Inoperative instruments and equipment.) — eCFR current as of 2026-03-05
- 14 CFR 91.503 (Flying equipment and operating information.) — eCFR current as of 2026-03-05
- 14 CFR 91.507 (Equipment requirements: Over-the-top or night VFR operations.) — eCFR current as of 2026-03-05
- PHAK ch. 9 (pp. 9-9–9-10) — FAA-H-8083-25C (2023)
- 14 CFR 39.9 (What if I operate an aircraft or use a product that does not meet the requirements of an airworthiness directive?) — eCFR current as of 2026-10-08
- RMH ch. 3 (p. 3-7) — FAA-H-8083-2A
- RMH ch. 1 (p. 1-3) — FAA-H-8083-2A
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