Which direction is indicated when you observe a steady red light and a flashing red light on another aircraft at the same altitude at night?

Which direction is indicated when you observe a steady red light and a flashing red light on another aircraft at the same altitude at night?

• A. Approaching head-on
• B. Crossing to the right
• C. Moving away
• D. Crossing to the left

Answer: (D)

In night operation, position lights show where another aircraft is relative to you. A steady red light is the port (left) navigation light on that aircraft. Seeing that steady red, possibly along with the red anti-collision beacon, indicates you’re viewing the left wing of the other airplane. If you’re at the same altitude and you observe these lights in combination, it means the other aircraft is crossing your path from your right toward your left. So the direction indicated is that it’s crossing to the left.

In night operation, position lights show where another aircraft is relative to you. A steady red light is the port (left) navigation light on that aircraft. Seeing that steady red, possibly along with the red anti-collision beacon, indicates you’re viewing the left wing of the other airplane. If you’re at the same altitude and you observe these lights in combination, it means the other aircraft is crossing your path from your right toward your left. So the direction indicated is that it’s crossing to the left.