Definition
A low-intensity white light source used in the cockpit at night to read charts, checklists, and other materials when red lighting makes certain colors (such as those on aeronautical charts) difficult to distinguish. It is bright enough to allow accurate reading but dim enough to limit disruption of the pilot's dark-adapted vision.
Plain English
A soft white light, turned down low, used at night so the pilot can read charts and notes without ruining their night vision.
Context Anchor
Used in night flying, especially with flashlights, cockpit lights, chart reading, and checklist use.
Why Pilots Care
Enables color-accurate tasks like reading sectional charts or multicolored instruments when red light would hide critical details.
Intuition Check
Do not assume white light is always too bright for night flying. In this context, dim white light means white light turned low enough to be useful without causing glare or seriously reducing night vision.
Example Sentence 1
Before departing on the night cross-country, the pilot stowed a flashlight with a dim white light setting for reading charts en route.
Example Sentence 2
Because the sectional showed shaded terrain, she used the dim white light instead of red to confirm the correct color coding.