In SVFR configuration, which lights are ON?

• A. Anti-collision ON; Position ON; Searchlight ON (within 5NM of class C)
• B. Anti-collision OFF; Position ON; Searchlight OFF
• C. Anti-collision ON; Position OFF; Searchlight OFF
• D. Anti-collision ON; Position ON; Searchlight OFF

Answer: (A)

Special VFR operations rely on maximum visibility of your aircraft to the surrounding airspace to compensate for reduced weather minimums. The key here is conspicuity: you want other pilots and ATC to clearly see where you are and what you’re doing. Anti-collision lights provide bright, attention-getting visibility, so they should be ON during SVFR. Position lights (the navigation lights) help others judge your location and orientation, especially at night or in limited visibility, so they should also be ON. In addition, when operating within five nautical miles of Class C airspace, the helicopter’s searchlight should be ON to further enhance visibility to ground controllers and nearby traffic, particularly at low altitude or in cluttered airspace. This combination—anti-collision lights on, position lights on, and the searchlight on near Class C—supports safe separation under SVFR. The other configurations omit one or more of these visibility aids, making them less appropriate for SVFR operations.