I was asked...

[skywire]

So, I was asked recently if it was legal to take off from an aerodrome at night with no runway lights. Pilot is night rated, will land at a lit airport, aircraft has all the required equipment etc. Not asking if it is recommended, I personally wouldn't want to try it unless it was a very bright moon, but is it legal?

[DA900]

An airport does not need to have lights for night landing and takeoffs. You can have reflective markers instead. I don't know if the airport in question has that.

[Johnny]

So, I was asked recently if it was legal to take off from an aerodrome at night with no runway lights. Pilot is night rated, will land at a lit airport, aircraft has all the required equipment etc. Not asking if it is recommended, I personally wouldn't want to try it unless it was a very bright moon, but is it legal?

Yes, you may, but you will need reflectors and alignment lights.

(1) Subject to subsection (2), where a runway is used at night, the operator of the aerodrome shall indicate each side of the runway along its length with a line of fixed white lights that is visible in all directions from an aircraft in flight at a distance of not less than two nautical miles.

(2) Where it is not practical to provide at an aerodrome the fixed white lights referred to in subsection (1) for reasons such as the lack of an available electrical power source or insufficient air traffic, the operator of the aerodrome may, if a fixed white light is displayed at each end of the runway to indicate runway alignment, use white retro-reflective markers that are capable of reflecting aircraft lights and that are visible at a distance of not less than two nautical miles from an aircraft in flight that is aligned with the centre line of the runway.

(3) The lines of lights or retro-reflective markers required by subsection (1) or (2) shall be arranged so that

(a) the lines of lights or markers are parallel and of equal length and the transverse distance between the lines is equal to the runway width in use during the day;

(b) the distance between adjacent lights or markers in each line is the same and is not more than 60 m (200 feet);

(c) each line of lights or markers is not less than 420 m (1,377 feet) in length and contains no fewer than eight lights or markers; and

(d) each light or marker in a line of lights or markers is situated opposite to a light or marker in the line of lights or markers on the other side of the runway, so that a line connecting them forms a right angle to the centre line of the runway.

(4) Fixed white lights displayed at each end of a runway pursuant to subsection (2) shall be placed so that they are not likely to cause a hazard that could endanger persons or property.

(5) Where a taxiway is used at night, the operator of the aerodrome shall indicate each side of the taxiway with a line of fixed blue lights or blue retro-reflective markers placed so that the two lines of lights or markers are parallel and the distance between adjacent lights or markers in each line is not more than 60 m (200 feet).

(6) Where a manoeuvring area or part thereof or a heliport is closed, the operator of the aerodrome shall not operate the lights or keep the retro-reflective markers thereon, except as required for maintenance of the lights and markers.

(7) Where an aerodrome is used at night, the operator of the aerodrome shall indicate an unserviceable portion of the movement area with fixed red lights, red retro-reflective markers or floodlighting.

(8) Where an aircraft parking area at an aerodrome is used at night, the operator of the aerodrome shall indicate the boundary of the area with fixed blue lights or blue retro-reflective markers, placed at intervals not exceeding 60 m (200 feet), or with floodlighting.

http://www.tc.gc.ca/civilaviation/Regse ... htm#301_07

[chipmunk]

As above posters wrote (plus temporary flare pots can be used in lieu of traditional lighting or reflective markers) but just note that the exception to the rule is if it's for a police operation or for the purpose of saving human life AND that no hazards are created by doing so.

CAR 602.40 (1) Subject to subsection (2), no person shall conduct a landing or a take-off in a heavier-than-air aircraft at night at an aerodrome unless the aerodrome is lighted in accordance with the aerodrome lighting requirements specified in Part III.

(2) A person may conduct a landing or a take-off in a heavier-than-air aircraft at night at an aerodrome that is not lighted in accordance with the requirements referred to in subsection (1) where

(a) the flight is conducted without creating a hazard to persons or property on the surface; and

(b) the aircraft is operated
(i) for the purpose of a police operation that is conducted in the service of a police authority, or
(ii) for the purpose of saving human life.