Definition
A specific subsection of the Federal Aviation Regulations that lists required instruments and equipment for powered civil aircraft operating at night under visual flight rules. Subsection (c)(3) specifically requires an approved position lighting system on the aircraft for night flight. Title 14 of the Code of Federal Regulations, part 91, governs general operating and flight rules; section 91.205 lists minimum required equipment; paragraph (c) covers night VFR operations; item (3) addresses position lights.
Plain English
This is the rule that says an aircraft must have working position lights to fly at night under visual flight rules.
Context Anchor
You may see this reference when checking whether an airplane has the required equipment and lights for a night flight.
Derivation
CFR stands for Code of Federal Regulations. Title 14 is the title that contains all aviation rules. The number 91 is the part number covering general flight rules, 205 is the section listing required equipment, and (c)(3) points to a specific item within that section. The whole reference is just an address that tells you exactly which paragraph to find.
Why Pilots Care
Meeting this rule keeps the flight legal and helps prevent mid-air collisions by making the aircraft visible to traffic at night.
Analogy
A regulation citation works like a street address: it tells you exactly where to find the rule, not just the general neighborhood.
Intuition Check
Do not read this as a page number or a training-book chapter. It is a legal rule citation that points to a specific federal requirement for night flying equipment.
Example Sentence 1
Before a night cross-country, the pilot confirmed the position lights worked, satisfying 14 CFR part 91 section 91.205(c)(3).
Example Sentence 2
During a night preflight the instructor pointed out that position lights fulfill 14 CFR part 91 section 91.205(c)(3).