Aircraft cockpit lights provide illumination of the flight compartment such that the crew members can comfortably read instrumentation, placards, check lists, operating manuals, maps, and instrument color coding under all external lighting conditions. The cockpit lighting is provided to illuminate all control panels, instruments, and operating interfaces that are not otherwise illuminated by their own integral lighting system or display.

Cockpit lighting is accomplished with dome lights, reading lights, and shield lights. Each dome light has two separate circuits for normal lighting and emergency lighting. Cockpit dome lights provide general illumination of the cockpit. The reading lights provide task illumination for the pilot, the co-pilot, and the third crew member. Shield lights located under the glare shield are used for illumination of the main instrument panel.