*6B Night Ops - Night Flight Flashcards
- During preflight what things should be done to adequately prepare for the night flight?
(FAA-H-8083-3)
a. Study all weather reports and forecasts. Particular attention should be directed towards temperature/dewpoint spreads to detect the possibility of fog formation.
b. Calculate wind directions and speeds along the proposed route of flight to ensure accurate drift calculations, as night visual perception of drift is generally inaccurate.
c. Obtain applicable aeronautical charts for both the proposed route as well as adjacent charts, and mark lighted checkpoints clearly.
d. Review all radio navigational aids for correct frequencies and availability.
e. Check all personal equipment such as flashlights and portable transceivers for proper operation.
f. The aircraft should be thoroughly preflighted.
g. All aircraft position lights, as well as the landing light and rotating beacon, should be checked for proper operation.
h. Ground areas should be checked for obstructions that may not be readily visible from within the cockpit.
- What are some guidelines to follow during the starting, taxiing, and run-up phases of a night flight?
(FAA-H-8083-3)
a. The pilot should exercise extra caution on “clearing” the propeller arc area. The use of lights prior to and after engine startup can also alert persons in the area to the presence of the active aircraft.
b. During taxiing, avoid unnecessary use of electrical equipment which would put an abnormal load on the electrical system, such as the landing light. Additionally, other pilots taxiing in the area can be blinded by your landing light or strobes, so avoid using them during taxiing.
c. Taxi slowly and follow any taxi lines.
- What are some of the guidelines to follow during takeoff and departure phases of a night flight?
(FAA-H-8083-3)
a. During takeoff the pilot should:
• on the initial takeoff roll, use both the distant runway edge lights as well as the landing light area to keep the aircraft straight and parallel in the runway, and
• upon liftoff, keep a positive climb by referencing the attitude indicator along with positive rate of climb on the vertical speed indicator.
b. During climbout:
• do not initiate any turns until reaching safe maneuvering altitude, and
• turn the landing light off after climb.
- What should the pilot do to provide proper orientation and navigation during a night flight? (FAA-H-8083-3)
a. Exercise caution to avoid flying into clouds or a layer of fog. Usually, the first indication of flying into restricted visibility conditions is the gradual disappearance of lights on the ground. If the lights begin to take on an appearance of being surrounded by a halo or glow, use caution in attempting further flight in that same direction, as this is indicative of ground fog.
b. Practice and acquire competency in straight-and-level flight, climbs and descents, level turns, climbing and descending turns, and steep turns. Recovery from unusual attitudes should also be practiced, but only on dual flights with a flight instructor.
c. Practice the above maneuvers with all the cockpit lights turned OFF—this type of “blackout” training will prove helpful later on, in the event of an electrical or instrument light failure. Include the use of the navigation equipment and local NAVAIDs in this exercise.
d. Continually monitor position, time estimates, and fuel consumed. NAVAIDs, if available, should be used to assist in monitoring enroute progress.
- If an engine failure occurs at night, what procedures should be followed?
(FAA-H-8083-3)
If the engine fails at night, the same procedures apply for dealing with the situation in the daytime. Maintain positive control of the airplane—do not panic. A normal glide should be established and maintained and the airplane turned toward an airport or away from congested areas. A check should be made to determine the cause of the engine failure, such as position of the magnetos, fuel selectors, or primer. If unsuccessful in restart procedures, select 7700 on the transponder and 121.5 on your radio. Declare an emergency, stating WHO you are, WHERE you are, and WHAT your intentions are. In some cases, where radar is available (Approach Control, Center, etc.) you may obtain a quick vector to the nearest airport if within gliding distance. If you have done your homework, you planned your route of flight within gliding distance of lighted airports. If not, two possibilities exist for emergency landing areas:
Lighted areas—interstate highways, roads, parking lots, etc. Advantages include being able to see where and what you are landing on, and having a relatively improved surface to land upon. Disadvantages include all kinds of obstructions to deal with, such as wires, poles, traffic, etc.
Unlighted areas—dark areas with relatively few lights indicating an open area such as a field, lake, etc. Advantages include few or no obstructions to deal with. Disadvantages include not being able to see what you have selected to land on until illumination by your landing light, and the higher possibility that what you have selected is unimproved, rough terrain, etc. As nearly as possible, land into the wind, with flaps, at minimum approach speed. Complete a pre-landing checklist, and immediately before touchdown, secure all systems (electrical, fuel) and open the doors.
Whatever your decision, maintain positive control of the aircraft all the way down. A controlled crash will always be more survivable than an uncontrolled crash.
- What procedures should be followed during the approach and landing phase of a night flight?
(FAA-H-8083-3)
a. The pilot should identify the airport and associated airport lighting and runway lighting.
b. The aircraft should be flown towards the airport beacon until the runway lights are identified.
c. A powered approach should be used because visual perception during a descent at night can be difficult.
d. The landing light should be switched on upon entering the airport traffic area.
e. The pilot should avoid the use of excessive speed on approach and landing.
