Equipment requirements: Over-the-top or night VFR operations

This regulation sets equipment requirements for two specific VFR scenarios: flying "over-the-top" (above clouds while operating VFR) and flying at night under VFR.

For both situations, your airplane must have all the instruments and equipment required for IFR operations under § 91.205(d). This means you need the full IFR instrument suite—including items like gyroscopic instruments, a slip-skid indicator, and navigation equipment—even though you're flying VFR.

For night VFR operations specifically, you must also have one electric landing light installed.

Critically, all required instruments and equipment must be in operable condition—inoperative equipment doesn't satisfy this regulation.

This matters because many pilots assume basic VFR equipment is sufficient for night flying or over-the-top operations. In reality, you need IFR-level instrumentation, which significantly exceeds the day VFR requirements in § 91.205(b) and even the standard night VFR requirements in § 91.205(c).

*This is a plain-English summary for study only. The official 14 CFR text on this page is controlling — always read the current regulation and consult a CFI.*