NIGHT FLYING TIPS It’s dark out there – so let’s look a little more deeply at the hazards related to night flying
In the UK many aerodromes have operational hour limitations that might be set down in planning regulations or just to be good neighbours to local residents, so the opportunity to fly at night can be limited to the winter and early spring months. So what hazards are there when operating during these months and at night?
WEATHER On nights suitable for flight there might be high pressure leading to clear skies or a high cloudbase with good visibility and light winds. But welcome as this weather is for flying, it can lead to a
rapid air temperature drop when the sun goes down, so it’s important to be aware of the freezing level as any amount of moisture on the airframe might freeze. Never fly in known icing conditions unless the aircraft
is cleared for it, and even then it might only be cleared for light icing conditions. If you do need to descend from an icing level to try to
melt ice from the airframe be wary of high ground you simply can’t see – use the Maximum Elevation Figures (MEF) depicted on the chart. We all know it’s the season of mist and fog, but the
forecast should warn of it: the trend indicator ‘BECMG’, means significant change in conditions is forecast during the two hours after the observation. It may also be followed by a time group and ‘FM’from, ‘TL’ until or ‘AT’at.
PREPARATION Night pre-flight inspection also takes on a new meaning: do the nav lights, landing/taxiing and anti-collision beacon(s) all work? Any airframe ice needs to be removed, but be careful to not push it into the control surface hinges or the pitot-static system. As there can be a greater risk of water condensing in fuel tanks, ensure fluid is removed from all water drains. For comfort you’ll want to ensure the cabin heater/demist
is working, but think about the last time you used it, a fault might allow carbon monoxide into the cabin (the first signs are often a headache). For engines with a carburettor, the alternative air or
carb heat control should be used as per the Flight Manual or Pilot’s Operating Handbook, but it’s worth using full carb heat periodically anyway – and keeping it on for long enough to be effective.
VISUAL ILLUSIONS While the visibility on night flights can be stunning, there are also illusions (referred to in the main article) to be aware of, especially on approach. Any unlit areas can lead to the ‘black hole’ scenario. This effect, sometimes called the ‘featureless terrain illusion’,
With the increase in the number of pilots complaining of laser lights being pointed at aircraft, be extra vigilant if you hear such reports.
TRAINING As mentioned in the main article, if you haven’t flown at night for some time seek some refresher training – it’s also an opportunity to identify what regulations have changed since you last flew at night. For instance, are you aware of SERA and the requirement for a flightplan for any VFR night flight? It can be abridged and filed by radio, but it’s now a requirement. Finally, enjoy night flying it can be a stunning experience.
Justin Willcocks – CAA, GA Unit
fools pilots into thinking they are higher than they actually are, leading to dangerously low approaches. Perception scientists disagree as to the exact cause,
and it’s likely that no single theory fully explains the phenomenon. The most extensive study was conducted by Boeing researchers after a series of airline ‘black hole’ accidents in the 1960s. Using a flight simulator, Boeing instructor pilots (with more than 10,000 hours each) conducted entirely visual approaches to runways in black hole conditions. Without the aid of altimeter or glide slope information, most pilots flew excessively low approaches and crashed into terrain short of the runway. While man-made obstacles near an airport such as buildings or towers are normally lit in the dark, natural ones such as hills or trees obviously aren’t, so, unless there is exceptional illumination such as a full moon on new snow, they’ll be largely invisible. This factor greatly increases the potential of flying into the ground and numerous such accidents have occurred, so follow the APAI or PAPI (if available) indications or keep your focus on the runway edge lights to provide an aspect on the runway. Another significant night visual approach risk stems from
the way we interpret visual cues. Consider the runway light illustrations: Which indicates the aircraft is on the correct flight path for the approach?*
32 CLUED UP SUMMER 2019
*Yes, it’s B
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