";s:4:"text";s:4312:" And for others, revisiting the basics of night flying should be something that's done every so often.
Have a flashlight or two with fresh (and spare) batteries within immediate reach.
If you start to lose sight of the stars, you may be flying under or into the clouds.
As with many of the regulations, this is a minimum requirement. Fuel availability, air traffic control closures, FBO hours, runway lights, approach procedures, and many other operational aspects of the flight environment change at night.
FAR 91.205—In addition to the day requirements, your airplane needs position lights; anti-collision/strobe lights; a landing light if operated for hire; an adequate source of electrical energy to operate the required equipment; and spare fuses (one spare set, or three of each kind.)
There are certain rules to flying at night, like the 45-minute fuel reserve, and the requirement to be current to carry passengers. Determining what kind of lighting system your destination has, and how you activate it, is a critical part of your preflight planning. So combine your hood work with some night flying.
In spite of the outstanding prognosis, our route crossed some high mountains, so we filed under instrument flight rules (IFR).
Unless you're instrument rated, equipped, and current, you might consider canceling a long night cross-country flight unless the forecast calls for clear weather, and you can look outside and see the stars. The controller will lead you step by step from where you are to where you want to go. If you must turn on the cockpit lights, try closing one eye to retain dark adaptation. Select the VORs or NDBs (nondirectional beacons) that will guide you to your destination. They are primarily diurnal but carry on singing for courtship or to declare their territory at night, or
Even then, you might get a surprise. Although a landing or taxi light makes it easier to find your way around the airport, there are times when these lights should be turned off. Finally, before starting the engine, turn on the anti-collision beacon to warn others that you're about to start the engine. Activating them at this distance can help you find the airport.
Rods, while they don't see as clearly, adapt more readily to low-light conditions. This is a minimum requirement; additional training or practice may be required to achieve a reasonable level of proficiency.
Start by requesting flight following after you take off. But there are illusions that can play havoc with your see-and-avoid scan.
Checking for fuel contamination is especially difficult at night.
We can't stress the planning aspect of flying enough. Finally, study your route carefully and be familiar with landmarks, navigation aids, and your destination airport. Look ahead at the runway lights and finish the flare as you appear to sink below their level. Even though the visibility appears fine, you may be flying through precipitation. Another tactic for avoiding faulty approaches at night is to fly over the airport and enter a standard landing pattern.
Most pilot-controlled lighting is activated by clicking the microphone button a certain number of times—3, 5, or 7 times for low, medium, and high intensities—when the radio is tuned to the Common Traffic Advisory Frequency (CTAF). are active during the day and become inactive during the night.These species of flies need polarized light to guide them visually. Extra batteries are good, too, but when your batteries go dead mid-flight, it's easier just to pick up a new, operational flashlight than it is to fumble around with replacing batteries. Carry several flashlights and a handheld transceiver (with fresh and spare batteries). Remember that landing lights and strobes can cause vertigo when flying in clouds and precipitation, so don't hesitate to turn them off. Sometimes even frequent flyers forget some of the nuances surrounding night flying. Many airports have illuminated windsocks, so you can overfly the airport and determine the wind direction and on which runway to land.