Night Flying: Building Confidence After Sunset

Why Night Flying is Different

Flying at night transforms aviation. The same airplane over the same terrain becomes a completely different experience. Some pilots love it - smooth air, less traffic, stunning views. Others find it challenging and stressful.

The difference often comes down to training, preparation, and mindset.

The Physiological Challenges

Your eyes don't work the same way at night.

Dark Adaptation

• Takes 30+ minutes for full dark adaptation
• Rods vs. cones: Cones (color vision) work in daylight; rods (peripheral, black & white) work at night
• Off-center viewing: Look slightly to the side of what you want to see

Protect your night vision:

• Avoid bright lights before flying
• Use red cockpit lighting
• Keep instrument brightness low
• Don't look directly at bright lights (city centers, other aircraft)

Spatial Disorientation

Without a visible horizon, your inner ear can deceive you.

Common illusions:

• Leans: Feeling tilted when wings are level
• Black hole approach: Descending into featureless darkness
• False horizon: Sloping cloud deck or city lights mistaken for horizon

The solution: Trust your instruments, not your feelings.

Night Flying Procedures

Preflight

Night preflight requires extra attention:

• Use a flashlight - Check every item you'd check in daylight
• Check all lights - Position, anti-collision, landing, taxi, instrument
• Test flashlight batteries - Carry spares
• Check charts - Know the terrain, obstructions, and emergency fields

Taxi and Takeoff

• Go slow - Taxiways are harder to see
• Use landing light - Helps see surface and makes you visible
• Verify runway - Double-check you're on the correct runway
• Note heading - Compare compass to runway heading before takeoff

Cruise

• Rely on instruments - Even in VFR, use your attitude indicator
• Scan outside - Traffic is harder to see; look for lights
• Know the terrain - Where are the mountains, towers, obstacles?
• Use flight following - Extra eyes from ATC

Approach and Landing

The most challenging phase.

Technique for night landings:

• Fly a stabilized approach - Don't dive for the runway
• Use VASI/PAPI - These visual aids are your friend
• Landing light ON - Illuminate the runway environment
• Aim point - Pick the same point you'd use in daylight
• Flare on instruments - When in doubt, hold altitude and let it settle

The black hole approach:

When approaching over water or unlit terrain:

• Fly the VASI/PAPI religiously
• Use approach plate if available (even VFR)
• Brief go-around altitude and procedure
• Don't descend below MDA/VASI until runway made

Building Night Confidence

Start in Familiar Territory

• First night flights: Local area you know well
• Familiar airports: Your home base and airports you've visited in daylight
• Good weather: Don't add weather challenges to night challenges

Increase Complexity Gradually

Phase 1: Pattern work

• Multiple takeoffs and landings at home airport
• Get comfortable with the sight picture

Phase 2: Local area

• Night flights in the practice area
• Night maneuvers (steep turns, slow flight)

Phase 3: Short cross-countries

• 30-50nm to a familiar airport
• Identify landmarks and checkpoints

Phase 4: Longer cross-countries

• Build toward solo night cross-country requirement
• Practice diversion to alternate airports

Practice Regularly

Night proficiency fades fast.

To stay sharp:

• Fly at night at least once per month
• Include pattern work in your currency flights
• Practice instrument scan even in VFR conditions

Equipment for Night Flying

Required (14 CFR §91.205)

• Position lights (nav lights)
• Anti-collision lights
• Landing light (if for hire)
• Adequate source of electrical energy
• Spare fuses

Highly Recommended

• Quality flashlight - LED, red lens option
• Backup flashlight - Batteries die at the worst times
• Kneeboard with light - Or use red-lit iPad
• High-visibility vest - For preflight and postflight

When NOT to Fly at Night

Be honest about your limits.

Avoid night flight when:

• Weather is marginal (night + weather = IFR)
• You're fatigued
• You're unfamiliar with the area AND the airport
• Terrain is mountainous and you're not proficient
• Aircraft lighting issues exist

Remember: "Get-there-itis" is worse at night because diversion options are limited.

Night Currency Requirements

To carry passengers at night, you need:

• 3 takeoffs and landings to a full stop
• Within preceding 90 days
• During the period 1 hour after sunset to 1 hour before sunrise

Note: These must be full stop landings - touch-and-goes don't count.

ClearProp and Night Flying

Track your night currency automatically:

• ClearProp calculates night time from sunset/sunrise data
• Currency status shows if you're current for night passengers
• Alerts warn before night currency expires

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Night flying is one of aviation's great pleasures. With proper preparation, it's also safe. Blue skies and starry nights!