It means all that and more. It's an all-purpose definition intended to
be plugged into wherever the term is found in the regulations.

I found a source on AOPA's site. I won't reproduce it here, but AOPA
members can search for it as article 352. It says that the pilot must
turn on the anti-collision lights whenever he "operates" [their
quotes] the aircraft, which means every time he starts the engine. I
consider that a fairly authoritative source, though not as
authoritative as the FAA, of course.

RK Henry

On Sat, 14 Oct 2006 19:09:14 -0500, "Jim Macklin"
wrote:

Actually the FAA means , in the paragraph you cited, that
"operate" means use an airplane in a business or otherwise
have the control of the airplane. It does not mean that the
engine is running.


"RK Henry" wrote in message
.. .
| On Sat, 14 Oct 2006 20:52:59 +0200, Mxsmanic

| wrote:
|
| RK Henry writes:
|
| Yes it does. In the excerpt here, "Operate" means
running the engines.
|
| According to whom?
|
| 1. In FARs part 1.1, Definitions, "Operate" is defined:
|
| "Operate, with respect to aircraft, means use, cause to
use or
| authorize to use aircraft, for the purpose (except as
provided in
| §91.13 of this chapter) of air navigation including the
piloting of
| aircraft, with or without the right of legal control (as
owner,
| lessee, or otherwise)."
|
| If you're planning on using the airplane for flying, I'd
interpret
| that as beginning with the moment you turn the key 'til
the airplane
| is back in the hangar. I suppose it could exclude running
the engine
| at the shop, since that's not for the purpose of air
navigation, but
| the mechanics usually turn on the beacon too.
|
| 2. The mention in the AIM about lights isn't regulatory,
but it may as
| well be. It's good operating practice, and a pilot
ignoring good
| operating practice could conceivably be caught by the
catch-all
| regulation, FAR 91.13, Careless or reckless operation.
Especially if
| someone got hurt. And of course, none of us wants anyone
to get hurt.
|
| Running the anti-collision system is low-cost insurance.
Except for
| cases like not operating strobes around people, it's
better to just go
| ahead and use it. It could save someone's life.
|
| RK Henry