Plain English Meaning

A bright flashing light on the tail of the aircraft that helps other pilots see it.

Full Definition

A high-intensity flashing white light mounted on the tail of an aircraft, used to increase the aircraft's visibility to other pilots, especially in low-light or busy traffic conditions.

Context Anchor

You encounter this during a before-flight walk-around, night flying, and training scenarios involving aircraft equipment problems.

Derivation

Tail comes from an old word for the rear part of an animal, and in aircraft use it means the rear section of the airplane. Strobe comes from , a device that uses quick flashes of light; that helps why a strobe light flashes instead of shining steadily.