How should pilots determine right-of-way during night flying?

Pilots should determine right-of-way during night flying primarily by the color of lights visible on the aircraft. In the absence of visual cues that are more apparent during the day, such as aircraft size and position, the colored navigation lights on an aircraft become critical in identifying its orientation and direction of travel.

Red lights are typically on the left (port side) and green on the right (starboard side), allowing pilots to understand whether an aircraft is approaching head-on, is crossing, or is overtaking. This information is vital for making safe maneuvering decisions at night. The FAA regulations emphasize that pilots must use the aircraft's lighting system to ascertain right-of-way, especially since visibility can be limited during night flying. This understanding enhances safety in the air traffic system and ensures that pilots can effectively communicate their intentions based on the lights they see.