Would like to know if my understanding of aircraft light usage is correct:Beacons from engine start to engine shutdownLanding Lights takeoff to 10,000 feet and 10,000 feet to landingStrobe Lights from takeoff to landingNavigation Lights from cockpit startup to cockpit shutdownTaxi lights as neededAs for the beacons, should top be pulsating red and the bottom rotating red?Thanks for the feedbackBill

From what I remember flying small planes, you need either a beacon or strobe system while the engine is running (day and night)Landing light is optional I believe.... Navigation lights for nighttime use (30min +/- before sunset and sunrise etc)some planes have recognition lights or wig-wag recogs (blinking lights on the end of the wings that project forward - unlike omni-strobes)Not sure what those rules are... I think just what it comes down to is what you deem neccessary (for small planes, not sure about airliners)

I've had various discussions about this because I also wanted to know what the REAL RULES were. but I found out there are various rules... It also depends on the plane you are flying (GA or airliner). The rules I settled for in the end (and I fly GA) comes close to yours but is like this (to be a bit more precise):Beacons from just before engine start to just after engine shutdownLanding Lights from just before entering the runway to end of take off and from start final approach to just after leaving the runwayStrobe Lights from just before entering the runway to just after leaving the runwayNavigation Lights when needed (which means: at night)Taxi lights during taxi