What additional equipment should be present during a night preflight?

During a night preflight, having a flashlight is essential for a few key reasons. At night, visibility is significantly reduced, making it challenging to see the aircraft’s exterior, especially parts such as the wing tips, control surfaces, and other critical components that need to be inspected. A flashlight allows you to illuminate these areas effectively, ensuring you can identify any potential issues that may not be visible in the dark.

Additionally, a flashlight is critical for providing light to read checklists, fuel gauges, and other important documentation without straining your eyesight in the low-light conditions. It is also valuable for signaling your presence at a busy airport or during taxiing.

The other choices presented do not provide the same level of necessity for a safe and effective night preflight. An extra fuel tank may be useful for long flights but does not specifically address the challenges of a nighttime inspection. A portable GPS device could be helpful for navigation but is not required for preflight checks. Having a second pilot might assist with flying but isn’t a standard requirement for preflight procedures.