Which light is explicitly required for night VFR flight when operated for hire?

For night VFR (Visual Flight Rules) flight when operated for hire, a landing light is explicitly required. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) regulations stipulate that for aircraft conducting operations for hire, the presence of a functioning landing light is mandatory during night operations. This requirement is in place to enhance visibility during takeoff, landing, and other critical phases of flight, thereby improving safety for passengers and crew.

While position lights and strobe lights are important for maintaining visibility to other aircraft and marking the aircraft’s position, they are not specifically mandated for night VFR operations involving hire. Taxi lights, on the other hand, are primarily used for illuminating areas around the aircraft during taxiing and are not a requirement for flight safety during night operations. Therefore, the requirement for a landing light specifically highlights its critical role in ensuring operational safety for commercial night flying.