Tips on Night Flying for Student Pilots

Flying during night time brings in new set of challenges and calls for using different techniques from student pilots who have only flown during the day time.

Jason Archer Berkshire Aviation Enterprise certificated flight instructor and ground instructor and he shares some tips to put the anxiety of night flying at ease. These tips have certainly worked well for his students at Walter J. Koladza airport in Great Barrington, Massachusetts.

These night flying tips have been picked up after looking at the experience his students had during the first few night flights.

Sit Tight

Sit in the cockpit of the aircraft one evening before you go for your first night flight. Experience how the lights in the cockpit look and how things look on the outside. Make sure not to leave the master on for a long time or the battery will be exhausted.

It will be a good idea to take a back seat with another instructor and student or flying along with fellow pilot on their maiden night flight. Doing so will give you a better chance to experience night flight when you don’t have the responsibility to fly the airplane.

Let There be Light

Jason Archer points out that it is good to have sufficient lighting, neither too much nor too few, and that too at the right places. Always carry a flashlight with you during night flight, you never know when the bulbs burn out or the batteries die down.

If you can, wear a headlamp, it will not only keep your hands free for work but you will have light wherever you will see. When you spend time in the cockpit find out how you can control the brightness of the instrument panel and the intensity of the portable electronic flight bags.

Take Your Time

According to Jason Archer flying during night time is more difficult so make sure to give more time even on the easiest of tasks. It will be better to preflight the aircraft before night falls or in a well lit-hangar. Your cockpit should be organized and things that will be needed should be handy.

In Night Flying, Flight Instruments are Your Friends

During night flying there will be lack of outside visual references as compared to flying during day time. You will be all absorbed in the new environment during the first few night flights. Most of the night flight will be through flight instruments.

It will be better to become thoroughly familiar with the information provided by six packs of instruments before you will need them the most. You cannot really trust the light reference on the ground unless you are 100% sure.

Fly Higher in Heavenly Weather

Fly higher than you usually do during the day time, recommends Archer. It is not just about getting a better view of the terra firma but, in case any problem occurs, you will have more time to react.

You don’t necessarily have to be an astronomer, but it will be good to spend some time looking at the sky and become familiar with the stars and their patterns. This was how it was done by aviation legends of the past. When you are flying away from city lights and in dark landscape, these twinkling buttons can help you navigate.

Perception Alert

The last word of advice from Jason Archer is that the airplane doesn’t know that it is flying during night time, it’s you who knows. Your perceptions will be put to test when you fly during night time.

Listen to the airplane sound, learn to find your way in the ocean of taxiway lights and train your eyes to perform better during night time. Abundance of patience and time will be required as you acclimate and enjoy night flying.