If a required light fails during flight, what is the immediate requirement for the aircraft?

In the event that a required light fails during flight, the regulations and guidelines typically dictate that the pilot assess the situation in relation to the specific conditions of the flight and air traffic control (ATC) instructions. If the failure does not compromise the safety of the operation or violate any regulations that mandate immediate landing, and ATC grants permission, the pilot can indeed choose to continue the flight.

The crucial aspect here is the concept of "required light." If it pertains to something non-critical to the immediate safety of the flight—such as a cabin light or a non-essential navigation light—the pilot may be justified in continuing the flight while notifying ATC of the situation. This reflects a balance between operational necessity and safety protocols. However, if the light in question were critical, then it would require prompt action.

Continuing the flight, with ATC's permission, suggests an operational decision is made based on safety discussions, which is a part of the pilot's responsibilities. This choice allows for the flexibility to manage non-critical failures effectively without unnecessarily interrupting the flight unless absolutely required.