The weather is beautiful, so you decide to take the plane up for a relaxing flight. As you’re doing your preflight you discover a piece of equipment that isn’t working. So what equipment is required for VFR flight? Can you legally fly, or do you need to wait until your mechanic can make repairs?
A common mnemonic to help you remember the required equipment for day VFR flight is A TOMATO FLAMES.
A – Altimeter
T – Tachometer
O – Oil pressure gauge
M – Manifold pressure gauge (for aircraft with a constant-speed propeller)
A – Airspeed indicator
T – Temperature gauge for coolant (for liquid-cooled engines)
O – Oil temperature gauge (for air-cooled engines)
F – Fuel gauge
L – Landing gear position indicator (for aircraft with retractable gear)
A – Anti-collision lights (e.g., rotating beacon) for aircraft certificated after March 11, 1996
M – Magnetic compass
E – ELT
S – Seatbelts and shoulder harnesses
For night VFR there are requirements in addition to A TOMATO FLAMES, which can be remembered with FLAPS.
F – Fuses (spare set) or circuit breakers
L – Landing light (if flying for hire)
A – Anti-collision lights
P – Position lights
S – Source of power (i.e., battery)
A TOMATO FLAMES – FLAPS is required equipment for any VFR flight. Of course, depending on the airspace you are flying in there may also be requirements for radios, a transponder, and ADS-B.
Keep in mind that any piece of equipment that isn’t working, even if it isn’t required, needs to be placarded as “inoperative”.
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