Flying at night over Kent in a PA28

The Flying Reporter gets night current again, by taking a short local flight from Biggin Hill in the PA28. To carry passengers at night, pilots must have performed one take off and landing at night in the previous 90 days.
About me, FAQs, and how to support me: www.jonhunt.net/
Facebook: / theflyingreporter
Music:
Antarctica, Terry Devine-King (PRS), licensed for use in this film by The Audio Network

[@flybe146]

You are quite the most organised pilot I think I have ever seen! Boy do I miss my night flying must do some when I get my wings back. Thank you for another great video.

[@TheFlyingReporter]

Really? I don't think you'd say that if you met me. Editing makes me look good.

[@TheCaptain714]

Enjoying your vids and commentary. After being out of the cockpit for about 20 years, just started getting current again in a PA28 Archer II, out of Lydd. This is helping with the ATC procedures etc. in the UK (I live in The Netherlands..although English born and bred).

[@TheFlyingReporter]

Thanks Steve. Gld you're getting back into it again.

[@Vict20]

Had to watch this in the office with sound off. The Closed Caption subtitles are hilarious!

[@michaelmiklosofficial]

There are some serious benefits to flying at night. Less traffic and radio congestion, less turbulence, and lighter winds are just a few of the benefits you'll find by choosing to fly at night. With the Earth and air cooling off, there's often less thermal activity, resulting in a smooth ride.

[@TheFlyingReporter]

+Michael Miklos absolutely.

[@Mongooseman121]

Nice video, brings back memories of doing my night rating at Biggin. I remember how different everything looks at night, how much more you rely on the PAPI’s, VASI’s and how difficult it is to judge the height for the flare!

[@TheFlyingReporter]

+Peter Green it's certainly very different. The PAPIs help you avoid the black hole effect.

[@stevemckenna7082]

Peter Green no

[@stevemckenna7082]

Oops sorry not sure how I managed to add a reply, just ignore my rambling

[@michaelsummers9579]

You looked nice & relaxed doing that. Very enjoyable. Thank you.

[@TheFlyingReporter]

Cheers Michael. It worked out well.

[@stewartwilkinsonsnr]

Love night flying so this video was very enjoyable and a big thumbs up for Cool Flying 🛩

[@TheFlyingReporter]

+MatureSimulator thank you.

[@darrenhillman8396]

Great video, Jon. Such a different perspective at night. I have a boat, and there is a similar huge change of perspective when navigating at night. You made night flying look much easier than I imagine it actually is. But I think I'll stick to night flying on a sim!

[@TheFlyingReporter]

It's actually not that hard to get to grips with, and you can get the rating with very little extra cost/training. Keeping current is not so easy though.

[@richardkaberry8790]

Thanks Jon another interesting video. Always feel like I'm flying with you!

[@TheFlyingReporter]

Thanks Richard.

[@ALFOX58]

Loved the "Thats gotta be it hasn't it" Sorry old chap can't help you from down here.

[@TheFlyingReporter]

Me talking out loud again.

[@Barabyk]

As always, enjoyed every minute of your video!

[@TheFlyingReporter]

+Ministry Of Twang pleased to hear that.

[@mikeslater8231]

I was waiting for this video I saw you go up a few times last week or so. Great aviating!

[@TheFlyingReporter]

Thanks Mike.

[@flyboy6354]

Thanks for another nice video.

[@TheFlyingReporter]

+Flyboy63 pleasure my friend.

[@ollekarlsson663]

Greetings from Sweden. Always great videos!

[@TheFlyingReporter]

Greetings!

[@andydonaldson5593]

Enjoyed that John. Doing my night rating Dec / Jan time so was a good intro ;)

[@TheFlyingReporter]

Brill. Well done.

[@davejones542]

Brilliant Video. As a point of pedantry: The "current for passengers at night" requirement is met under Easa if you have a full instrument rating and are current for passengers in the day, (otherwise as you say if pilot doesnt have that rating)

[@TheFlyingReporter]

Thanks Dave.

[@byronmartinaviation5708]

Top notch video, very informative.

[@TheFlyingReporter]

Thank you.

[@frankvein5126]

Great video John!

[@TheFlyingReporter]

Thanks Frank.

[@ranh71]

Thanks Jon, great video, in the process of doing mine, wish our runway lights were like yours, ours are like candles :) My first landing attempt was a bit hard but that's quite common apparently

[@TheFlyingReporter]

Very common, very difficult to judge flare height.

[@TheSailor450]

Looks very fun ! Sadly my Class 2 Medical is valid for Day operations only, preventing me from getting night rating. My instructor did console though, he said he would rather only fly at night in twins as an SEP engine failure at night wouldn’t be too fun ...

[@TheFlyingReporter]

Too right. I don't aim to have to fly at night.

[@TheMicroPilot]

Very interesting video! I conducted one of my first solo local flights to Ashford from Headcorn.

[@TheFlyingReporter]

Must be nearly time for your GST?

[@TheMicroPilot]

No not far off now! Just a couple more hours solo yet and thats it :)

[@JodelFlyer]

Another excellent video Jon. Thanks for posting. My Jodel is not quite up to night flying spec but enjoyed your video as always. I have not forgotten my 'Bertie Challenge' but I can't find the R2D2 model I was going to attach to the top my panel. I will sort something out for him!

[@TheFlyingReporter]

Cool. We really must meet up soon.

[@JodelFlyer]

Yep, that will be great. I nearly came to Biggin last weekend as a pilot here needed to collect his AA5 from an annual inspection but you were down to 300 feet.

[@marct9845]

I think it’s about time that the Ashford designer outlet is a feature on charts don’t you think, it’s much more obvious than a motorway junction :)

[@TheFlyingReporter]

+Marc T by day or night it's very prominent.

[@terryjkent]

Excellent video Jon. I gave up night flying out of the circuit in SEP's after having engine failure in a 100hr old Arrow (not at night), just put me off if it had been dark I'm sure I wouldn't be here to write this comment, will only fly twins in the dark now. Saying that I still do a circuit during the winter and stay current in our Commander not to fly at night but just in case I end up coming back in the dark with PAX. Strangely I have no problem flying low IMC, it's just the night that puts me off. BTW which of your Go Pro's had the best low light performance?

[@TheFlyingReporter]

Hi. Agree that single engine night is an added risk. I only keep the rating current in case I need it. I try not to plan to fly at night. I think my GoPro Hero 5 had the best low light performance.

[@gregellis3859]

I enjoy your videos very much. I like to compare the requirements between where you fly and the United States. Here in the United States, to carry passengers at night you must have 3 take offs and landings to full stop, no touch and goes, in a 90 day period and it is one hour after sunset to one hour before sunrise. Little bit different.

[@TheFlyingReporter]

Cheers Greg. We must've done 3 take off and landings in the previous 90 days...with one of those take off and landings being at night (to carry night pax). Interesting to hear that your 'night' starts 30mins after ours!

[@christiandarbyshire]

Nice video! On Friday, I was flying late in the day and landed 10 minutes before official night!

[@TheFlyingReporter]

+CharlieDelta still quite light I expect?

[@christiandarbyshire]

It was, but the cloud coverage made it very dark. Refueling in the dark is quite spooky!

[@maxwoski6369]

Thankyou very good video, especially for PPL training pilots

[@TheFlyingReporter]

+wax roberts thanks for watching.

[@AiradsCoUk]

Nice one Jon..

[@TheFlyingReporter]

+Airads Aerial Advertising thank you Simon.

[@galair64]

Nice one Jon. Hoping to do some night time over Nov.

[@TheFlyingReporter]

Good for you. I've only ever used it for 'real' once, but useful skill to have.

[@chrisedmunds7205]

Amazing!

[@TheFlyingReporter]

Thanks!

[@neilmurgatroyd3197]

Can I suggest for night flights, on Skydemon, set the 'high contrast' on chart style.It's one of the Layers options, available from the layered sheets icon bottom right on the screen

[@TheFlyingReporter]

+Neil Murgatroyd I've looked at that, but it's still very bright isn't it.

[@TangoDelta25]

Jon, how about Triple-click invert colors ?-this works on any app. It allows you to quickly press the home button at the bottom of the iPad three times to invert the colours of the screen, displaying approach charts or airport diagrams with white ink on a black background. You must enable this feature though before it will work. To do this, go to Settings>General>Accessibility>Accessibility Shortcut>Invert Colors. Or perhaps a blue light filter app, which allows you to adjust the screen contrasts, brightness, and colours to whatever is comfortable.

[@jamie_the_pilot]

Woah - it looks so dark! Can’t imagine what that feels like the first time you do it... hopefully this time next year I will know! One question - what’s running on the iPad - looks really useful for confirming where you think you are! Great video - thanks for sharing.

[@TheFlyingReporter]

Hi. It's Skydemon on the Ipad.

[@jamie_the_pilot]

The Flying Reporter :) thank you

[@EricIrl]

Fascinating stuff. You certainly get a different perspective at night. Would you say that the concentration levels need to be higher?

[@TheFlyingReporter]

Definitely. Everything's different at night. Perspectives mainly.

[@alexeibobyrev2250]

Rotation speed for PA28 is 60MPA not 60kts...

[@Fly_by_Wire]

Hi Jon, great video as always. Is it one takeoff/landing or three in a 90 day period? and do you prefer a white light to a red?

[@TheFlyingReporter]

+Roger Evans to carry passengers in EASA land, its 3 take offs and landings in the previous 90 days. To carry them at night, one of those needs to be at night. Red light is better for night vision.

[@clearofcloud2038]

A vastly un-reported requirement for currency is an understanding partner !! Really enjoyed this hop. Would love to fly at night but the Luscombe and pilot are strictly day VFR :-(

[@TheFlyingReporter]

Our partners are very understanding!

[@clearofcloud2038]

The Flying Reporter I count myself among the lucky pilots where my other half frequently tells me to go flying.....apparently I'm no fun when I don't fly LOL

[@IliasJoels]

What's the difference between night rating and IFR? Isn't flying at night based on your instruments since you can't see?

[@TheFlyingReporter]

In some countries (the UK being one) night VFR is permitted, where flight is conducted being visual references. You only lose visual reference for about 10 seconds in the climb out, and this can be taught. There is plenty to see at night, especially if the moon is visible. Towns, roads, masts, buildings, aerodromes are all lit up, which enables you to navigate and keep orientated at night.

[@jackd9928]

Instrument panel at night is almost in complete darkness...not what I thought it would look like for some reason or is that just how it is coming up on camera?

[@TheFlyingReporter]

That’s what the camera is picking up. I dim the panel to the least I need to maintain my night vision out the window

[@milesfish5013]

Is that your piper pa28? it's looks beautiful!

[@TheFlyingReporter]

Yeah. Isn't she good!

[@milolouis]

It sounds like u got a turboprop during the approach

[@Sterlingjob]

Theres no harm checking an aircraft at night with a torch!

[@Boating_David]

How disorienting is it flying at night? Do you keep a constant flight level by vision or always looking at instruments?

[@TheFlyingReporter]

+strombidae you have a horizon most of the time, so you can tell if you're straight and level.

[@forfengeligfaen]

Does "two on righthand circuit" mean there are two aircraft in a right hand pattern?

[@TheFlyingReporter]

+forfengeligfaen I suspect you mean, 21, right hand circuit. I.e., runway 21, right hand circuit.

[@forfengeligfaen]

I'm going to have to give this a read www.bfgc.co.uk/VFR_Guide.pdf 😬

[@forfengeligfaen]

I'm English but I learned to fly in Norway. Why does ATC say "Pass a message"? What's "basic service" we just have "flight information"

[@TheFlyingReporter]

+forfengeligfaen I have some links in my faqs on my website about basic service, it's a bit like flight information. Pass your message is standard phraseology for the UK.

[@forfengeligfaen]

So "pass your message" just means "go ahead"

[@TheFlyingReporter]

Yes. Until you've heard the phrase 'pass your message' you shouldn't be passing your flight details. So normally it's '(ATC callsign) golf bravo hotel oscar romeo, request xxxxxxx' G-BHOR - (ATC callsign) pass your message. ...then you can do the CARPACER call, Callsign, Aircraft type, routing, Position, Altitude, flight conditions/rules, Estimate, Request.

[@jordan4541]

How much all together did you have to save in order to get your PPL and then advance onto the Night Rating?

[@TheFlyingReporter]

One of my FAQs: 'How long is a piece of string? Ok, I can talk ball-park figures here. This all depends on where you train, what aircraft you’re flying, and how quickly you learn. The minimum flying training you need is 45 hours, but it took me nearly 80 hours. The amount of flying training you need can depend on the pace of your learning, which in turn depends on your budget and your availability. I tried to fly about once a week. I would guess it cost me about £8000.' The night rating was just five hours of training on top... so about £800-£1000

[@jordan4541]

Alright cheers mate. Keep it up

[@richarddastardly6845]

Must have some balls flying SEP at night. What would happen if the engine failed..?😱😵

[@TheFlyingReporter]

+Mickey Mouse best not to think about it!

[@dopiaza2006]

That's what lit motorways are for!

[@richarddastardly6845]

dopiaza2006 are the power/telegraph cables, bridges & gantries lit as well? Is every mile of motorway lit as well..?

[@TheFlyingReporter]

+Mickey Mouse no.

[@dopiaza2006]

I guess my tongue in cheek comment was taken a little to seriously! I fly out of Sherburn-in Elmet and the only things you see at night around there are the local pubs up to 11pm and maybe the occasional roundabout. Not for me until I'm IFR certified.

[@harrytanner9215]

Which Ipad model do you use, and what's the attachment to the yoke called please?

[@TheFlyingReporter]

It's an old fourth generation Ipad, and the mount is a Ram mount. Details in my FAQs. www.jonhunt.net/

[@harrytanner9215]

Perfect, thanks. Love the videos!

[@aaronlee2240]

Would love to get my night rating, unfortunately colour blind so a no go for me :(

[@TheFlyingReporter]

Sorry to hear that Aaron.

[@tylerhamilton5470]

What app is that on the right side yoke?

[@TheFlyingReporter]

+SuPeR TY gaming skydemon

[@MrAlwaysBlue]

Why would you want to fly at night? Best saved for a cheap flight to Benidorm.

[@forfengeligfaen]

And do you use the QFE?

[@TheFlyingReporter]

I do if VFR, and one is given.

[@forfengeligfaen]

It must be easier to make a mistake using QFE than QNH because a greater adjustment from 1013 is required and different aerodromes will have wildly different QFEs on any given day. Can I just ask for QNH?

[@TheFlyingReporter]

You will always be given a QNH. You can choose what to use.

[@4figgis957]

You've got too much time on you're hands

[@dopiaza2006]

Too much money more like. We'd all be flying more if it weren't for money!

[@memorablename5187]

what makes you say that figgis?