Finding Your Way In The Dark. Night Flying

[@D51S]

Man do I got a story. My first night flight, on one of my takeoff I was climbing and at 300ft agl I thought I saw a plane turning and heading towards the runway. I immediately leveled off and held 300ft. Freaked my instructor out into thinking we had an engine problem. My bottom hole got real tight and then I instantly realized what just happened. There is a road near the airport with a bend. Someone driving with their high beams just drove through it. It scared the hell out of me because it looked just like an aircraft light turning a short final and heading towards me! Lessons learned! Got to pay attention and be aware of roads at higher elevation with cars, especially if they have their high beams!

[@AnangryLibertarian]

I love night flying. It’s truly something you have to experience. Taking off into the abyss, and then getting your bearings as you approach 100ft. Love it!

[@Jonnyrocket51]

I can remember an old video from king schools(2007) telling us to land in a dark area at night but near lights. And just before landing, turn on the landing light. If we don't like what we see, turn off the landing light😄

[@michaelj.mcmurray540]

8 for 8: The best way to get comfortable flying at night is to fly at night. When I was in the Army we did the bulk of our training events at night. I got very comfortable operating at night. Flying at night was no different. Then since I retired I have not spent much time training at night. I just did my first night flight in three years just a few weeks ago for my flight review. Talk about a reduction in proficiency.....So it was good I had a CFI with me for that flight. I was rusty, to say the least.

[@heathjarvis2362]

8 for 8. I LOVE night flying, probably more than most pilots. I've done a lot of dinner flights in which the flight home is at night. Here's something to chew on, especially for VFR pilots. Here in SW Florida, I fly in and out of several airports that are right off of the Gulf. When taking off or landing at night, remember that when you turn towards the gulf (or ocean) you will almost always have zero reference to the horizon, because there are no lights in the water except maybe the occasional boat. Be mindful not to let your turns or climbs get too steep, being that you can't see the horizon sometimes for several seconds.

[@owenmiller9906]

For night flying I keep a headlamp with both white and red lights around my neck - no fumbling to try to find it if you need it quick and you can keep it pointed in the general direction of the panel / kneeboard pretty well so you can keep both hands free for flying. I keep a second headlamp or light in my flight bag along with spare batteries. A headlamp is almost always superior for preflight and inflight.

[@davidcole333]

7/8. My first night landing was absolutely perfect...pure butter. Then I got cocky and reality set in. 🙂 My best night flying tip is to practice. You can't just do it once in a while and expect to become proficient.

[@tejloro]

8 for 8! Loving this! Directional runway lights are the worst... I like to be able to see the runway even before I'm lined up with it. I hate being on downwind and just having to guess where the runway is...

[@aidanduffy1593]

I agree, my first night flight I was in the downwind and was thinking, where the heck is the runway!"

[@loupitou06fl]

8 for 8! nights landings are challenging for sure

[@BobAmarel]

8 for 8 and thoroughly enjoying the content.

[@hugovandenberg313]

8/8. Haven't had the pleasure of flying at night yet. I'll rewatch by the time I go for my night rating.

[@jimbiller9682]

7 4 8 Looking for the one I missed. I love night flying! So beautiful, such a blessing. I learned that not only extra batteries are required, it’s even better if they work. So don’t let your spare batteries get old.

[@RubyRach]

8/8 On my commercial night solo XC I flew into Sugarland. I had the hardest time finding the beacon against all the lights of the Houston area. I loaded up an approach for the extra guidance until I was able to identify the airport visually.

[@brucecuratola6389]

I fly out of Pearland. In a recent night flight, the departure path from Hobby took those aircraft right over my field! They were at 5,000 or more and I was at 1,000, but it felt like we were only a couple hundred feet apart! Very different.

[@jakecostello8400]

8 for 8 third year in a row! Hi Jason!

[@azcharlie2009]

We used to fly a lot at night when we lived in Iowa. We'd fly up to Wisconsin, eat dinner, and then fly back at night. I highly recommend it! Now, not at all. Too many big rocks in the sky here in Arizona. Anyone flying at night should have some extra instrument flight time so you can learn to rely on your instruments for navigation. It is very easy to think you are flying one direction when you are not! I remember one time returning from Chicago at night. I had overpowering feelings that I was too far north of course. But, I wasn't. Trust your instruments. Also, do some landings with an instructor without your lights! It will give you more confidence. 8/8

[@marymartin6690]

8 for 8! Preflight BEFORE dark, if possible.

[@helloman1976]

I've never felt spaitial disorientation but, I also know I'm not immune to it. I'm not intrusment rated and I probably never will be but I am a submarine "pilot" so my go-to is my instruments and I'm always validating with my panel. Night flying is a good time to bug your headings and so on and it's nice to have a super bright landing light but keep in mind that you can blind other pilots if they're infront of you. Now, who doesn't love flying??? lollol I love this stuff!

[@daveeverhart7720]

8 for 8, Jason. A lot of GA aircraft internal lighting isn't that great. I've found a good headband lamp is a must for night time flying. I have a rugged spare battery container I keep in my side pocket with fresh AA batteries at the ready. Consistently placing charts, batteries, handheld radios, and other accessories in the same place every flight makes for a lot less fumbling around when you need them, especially in low light conditions. Great subject, Jason. Thank you for your hard work and dedication producing these videos. Much appreciated.

[@ethanec1697]

8 for 8! I always carry a battery powered handheld on every flight, ESPECIALLY at night. Imagine a electrical failure with no way to turn on the airport lights! Never fly without one

[@georgeduque1801]

💯% Correct, happened to me! 😳 Did not have a handheld radio and it got sticky when I diverted to a controled airport when i lost all electrical power, and they closed the tower!! ...lights out, just as I got to within 3 miles of the airport. Long story short- it was not fun! I Now, always, have my charged handheld within reach, day or night.

[@Kenny-bp8ux]

What is battery powered handheld please?

[@Kenny-bp8ux]

@@braininavatnow9197 thanks

[@freedomfalcon]

@@Kenny-bp8ux They are referring to a battery powered handheld aviation radio.

[@Kenny-bp8ux]

@@freedomfalcon thanks for the information

[@JoshPiland]

8/8 Thank you for the Checklists MzeroA!

[@jimbiller9682]

Oh, and one more thing, ask for an approach to help. Find the runway AND help you be on a safe altitude. Tough lesson that was.

[@johntaylor5505]

8 for 8 Jason..learning more everyday, keep it up

[@pjsministry7316]

One thing I always taught my students was your depht percession is a little wacky so pay extra attention to your flare. Thanks again for a great informative video. Billy

[@jonmitchell5266]

8 for 8. Great series. Looking forward to tomorrow.

[@glennwatson]

8/8 having an Australian ppl I haven’t flown at night yet but doing my instrument rating which includes night vfr also. All this information is great for me to prepare.

[@larrybeckley8978]

8 for 8 Wow Jason this training gets better and better thanks for all your hard work

[@rong4248]

8 for 8 I start night training this week! weather permitting. I am flying solo tomorrow Tuesday at 2:00 so I will miss the class tomorrow-I do look forward to that every week.

[@yelkhettar]

8 for 8 all the way. Thank you for these videos 🙏🏻

[@sarahhaskett3648]

8 for 8, What a great idea to practice unusual attitudes at night. I will definitely do that with a CFII soon.

[@erniekelly2479]

Eight straight. Good stuff. I can't tell you how long it's been since I flew at night. Many pilots with thousands more hours than me and other pilots my age (I'm "seasoned") advise against single-engine night flight if you can avoid it. And I've avoided it even though in some ways, it's easier - there's less traffic, winds usually die down, position lights make other traffic more visible against the sky than during the day. Wrestling with the "is it worth it" thing.

[@aliciamacdonald8149]

wow!!! I loved this video on nite flying. It is true that the conventional belief is to go to where it is dark at night with an engine failure. As a pilot just getting my night rating...I really felt uncomfortable with that rule...I'll go where I can see the ground, thank you:) and THANK YOU!! keep up the blessed work!!!

[@sellakc]

Good stuff as usual!!!

[@rom1usa]

About to go on my 1st night flight tonight- Watching to get last bits of insights- My CFI will help me greatly through it of course, but I need to be prepared ;-) Thanks for putting those together Jason!

[@bradrisch9683]

8 for 8! Great material!

[@patrickmaroney8262]

8 4 8!! Just had a night flight tonight and used the things you suggested. Great timing.

[@anastasiat.9275]

8/8 …. Agree with so many of these points…great reminders❤

[@davidklassen2805]

8 for 8 thanks for all the effort you put into these videos!

[@Aerialphotovito]

8/8 Thank you ! I was taught to avoid bright lights prior to flying at night.

[@harshp6706]

In my night time building, I always used to prefer within the gliding distance from the airports near by and choose a route and altitude accordingly. And don’t get lost in the beauty of night views your first goal is the fly the airplane

[@nyboardsports]

8/8 - I love night flying! It's my favorite! Every time I can I go flying at night, I do it.

[@stephenbrown7809]

8 for 8. An easily accessible Flashlight is most important part of night flying. I have lost all gauge lights on takeoff, no blown fuse, but a switch failure. Night flying is amazing, the world is lit up below you, the air is smooth, traffic is easy to spot, and air traffic controllers aren’t as busy.

[@coachraythepilot5759]

I always load an approach even if it’s a visual approach. Great way to help find the airport and situational awareness.

[@bradtaylor7232]

8 for 8! Great idea on all the back up batteries matching back lights and handheld!

[@vipergaming1338]

2/8 a little busy getting ready for my check ride on Jan 19th but this information really helps and is helping me study the small things I may have overlooked. Thanks for all you do!

[@brucecuratola6389]

Good luck!

[@jimpinkowski3394]

I fly at night with a white dimmable "lipLight". Its a great product of military origin that attaches to your headset microphone boom and is turned on and off with just a touch of your lip! The best part is that the light is always pointed in the direction you are looking and its completely hands free! I can't recommend this equipment enough!!!

[@iammichaelmyers]

8 out of 8 - love these amazing lessons

[@danielcrucci]

8 for 8, Thanks Jason!!

[@briandavis9245]

8 for 8. Working towards my first night flight. I'm excited for it.

[@PhantomFlying707]

8 for 8. Jason and MzeroA team- great topic. Although I like flying at night (everything feels more relaxed), it does take more time to prepare since I don't do it enough to be proficient. Really appreciate your comment about flying towards the light instead of "aim for the dark area" in emergency landing situations. That never made sense to me, and although there are dangers with a road a least you can anticipate them when you see them. Also, after doing some night flying direct and realizing I was over areas that would be difficult to land in even during the day, I do try to schedule my flight paths from airport to airport now. Looking forward to tomorrow's lesson!

[@robertcarhartjr6234]

8 of 8; I don’t often fly at night but love these tips. Will revisit this video before the next time I fly at night.

[@frankdaniels8077]

8 for 8, excellent as always Jason!

[@ranjrog]

8 for 8. What a great topic!!

[@genekastner8086]

8 FOR 8 - Checking in from HPN ! Jason Awesome videos

[@peterschuster1893]

8/8. Haven't done a lot of night flying. I made notes on these great tips!

[@brucecuratola6389]

8 for 8. My CFI insists on a red headlamp. I love flying at night. My best landings are at night / much easier than daytime!

[@johngaluski687]

8/8. A comfort stop before my flight & recommend to passengers

[@cbcyouthministry2508]

8 of 8! A Sport Pilot can't fly at night, but good information. Medical issues will keep me only at Sport Pilot, but I love the learning.

[@drcode4]

8 for 8. Thanks Jason. It's been so long since I've flown at night, I think I'll grab an instructor and go practice. Thanks again.

[@tawiwutcharuwat8999]

Class video thank you Jason!

[@tonythornton1973]

8/8 great information, video well done.

[@davidbaumgartner7215]

8 for 8. Thank you for these online videos

[@tristanbush3374]

8 for 8. Thanks Jason! And you snapped this time!

[@timypaul]

8 to 8, so much learning, I've really enjoyed it. My first night flight was in amazing. I landed confidently for the first time at night.

[@DanBoutwell]

Always a day or so behind, but oh well. Great videos, as always. 👍👍

[@jiteanomi4092]

8/8....So much info packed into about 13 minutes video. you're amazing Jason, thank you so much.

[@domoniquewalters3237]

8 for 8 , a lot of great tips on here . I especially was fond of when you mention practicing unusual attitudes and knowing how to pick out a landing spot at night should there be an emergency! Thank you Jason

[@aidanduffy1593]

8 for 8, thanks for the great videos!

[@markfacer2296]

Great stuff as always. I recommend that, if you don't have an Instrument rating, you only flight at night with an instructor....just my opinion....but always better to err on the side of caution.

[@keithluce6825]

8/8. Starting night flight in the week or so. Thanks for tips!

[@ericlowe5483]

8 for 8 from London UK Excellent series. Missed first series so keeping up with this one.

[@catherinekilgour2563]

I fly out of an airfield with grass runways and have a tendency to flare too high above the runway. It's getting better with practice. I am so looking forward to getting more hours in in the up coming winter (your summer time). I was taught eyes inside until about 300ft above ground level and then eyes outside. Yes I definitely want to get my instrument rating.

[@oledanielson4699]

8/8. Renter requires 90 day currency checkouts so I kicked it up up notch and did at night. Stalls at night are truly different. Instructor appreciated the night time hours too.

[@joshuahahn1990]

8/8! Loving this series!

[@maritestaylor8458]

Awesome 😎😎😎😎😎😎😎😎😎😎

[@Fiftyx60]

Eight for eight! I confess, though, that I had to catch up on yesterday's lesson first. I just wrapped up my night flying for my PPL last week. Exhilarating and terrifying all at the same time.

[@philbuchanan3400]

8/8. Great work.

[@AndrewChronisterTV]

8 for 8. As a low time pilot, I actually love night flying, but I observe a healthy dose of caution when doing it. Thanks for the tips.

[@cn9936]

Catching up Jason and Magda! So good to be back and learn so much from you. Hopefully I start my fight training soon! Getting back into it with your amazing teaching! Thank you.

[@albinmoore7214]

8 for 8! For night flying I always have a pen light (red & white) with a lanyard around my neck. Maybe it's old school to some. But I use it in every night flight.

[@tazandtigg2000]

8/8!!! This is an awesome program! I look forward to January every year specifically for the 31 Day Safer Pilot Challenge! You guys and gals rock!!! Thank you!

[@cbret1027]

8 for 8 ! Thank you for this challenge!

[@donbgibson]

8 for 8. I have very little night time. All my night time has been with an instructor on board. It's not too bad around here, as it pretty densely populated so there are lots of ground lights.

[@Lilsushi352]

nice!!!!!!!

[@alexmartin5026]

8 for 8! This is a lot of great information that I think is not talked about enough. Good stuff

[@mikeperry2814]

8/8! Thx Y'all! I practiced landing light out landings several times at the urging of my CFI, it was not bad at all!

[@johnnywalker7494]

8/8 👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻✈️

[@skysailor64]

Hey Jason, I fly out of EWB (New Bedford) and am on a tie down so I am familiar with the challenges of doing the pre-flight checks in cold weather day or night! It's worth it though especially for the night flying which is so beautiful on clear winter nights. Thanks for the refresher on all the things that should be considered. And stop by at EWB sometime!

[@matteovinci83]

8 for 8, haven't done any nights yet but always trying to be prepared for each flight with those considerations. The one type of battery choice is definitely a tick on the simplification list. one less thing to frustrate yourself with.

[@epiren]

8/8. Thanks for these awesome videos.

[@dianaparra3736]

8/8 incredible video, I like it 😊

[@freedomfalcon]

8 for 8! Pro tip: Find out the frequency for pilot controlled lighting ON THE GROUND and make note of it. It's not a good feeling orbiting the airport trying to figure out why the runway lights wont come on.

[@johndoughty5599]

8 for eight great wealth of knowledge being shared

[@kurtreber9813]

848R2! As a student I've only had 1 x-c at night, to PA from VA (it was nighttime coming back). My only tip is to watch out for frost forming on the flight surfaces, even if you were only parked for an hour.

[@stephenstead7270]

8 for 8 a good information and video Happy New year to yous all fly safe at all times

[@dekky111]

8/8. I avoid night flying at my age, but these are good points.

[@ThomasGrillo]

I was a passenger on a Cessna 172, at night. The pilot thought he aligned with the runway, but turns out, he lined up with a street. That was back when the white LED street lights were first coming into use. The street ran parallel with the runway.

[@jrholand]

always try to back a night landing with an instrument approach, or fly IFR if rated ( I am)

[@roger7790]

8 for 8: TIP- I try to come in a little higher on landing

[@BraapZ]

8 for 8. 👍 Only done night flying with clear skies and more than half moon for light. 😉

[@Aviatorpeck1957]

8 for 8 thank you!!!!