What is the minimum visibility required for a recreational pilot to fly at night while supervised by an instructor?

The minimum visibility requirement for a recreational pilot to fly at night while supervised by an instructor is 5 statute miles. This regulation is in place to ensure that pilots have adequate visual references to maintain safe flight operations under nighttime conditions.

At night, the visual challenges increase significantly due to reduced natural light, making it essential for pilots to have better visibility to identify terrain, other aircraft, and navigation aids. The 5 statute miles minimum helps to promote safety by ensuring that the pilot under instruction can see sufficiently to make safe decisions.

This regulation is reflective of broader general aviation safety practices, where maintaining spatial awareness and visual acuity is crucial to avoid accidents. While there may be allowances for daytime flying with a lower visibility minimum, the increased risks associated with night flying necessitate stricter standards to ensure that all flight operations can be conducted safely.