Ch. 7: Night Ops Flashcards
Function of cones and where are they in the eye?
Detect color and far away objects
Center of the retina in the back of the eye
Less sensitive to light . Most useful in daylight
Function of rods
Function when something is seen in peripheral vision. Do not give color or detail.
Located in back of the eye or retina.
Night vision is almost entirely rods.
Average time for rods and cones to adjust to darkness?
Cones - 5-10 minutes
Rods - 30 minutes
How to accommodate changing light conditions?
Allow enough time for eyes to adjust to low light.
Avoid exposure to bright light
Illusions related to ground lighting conditions
Distant stationary lights can be mistaken for stars or other AC
Dark nights eliminate reference to visual horizon
Geometrical lights , such as freeway, approach, moving train, etc) may lead to confusion
Black hole approach - RWY lights are only source of light. Pilot has trouble orienting themselves relative to earth and may land short
Difficult to judge distance at night
Approach lights can make AC seem higher than it is on turn to final approach than wings level
Featureless Terrain illusion
Absence of ground features can create illusion that AC is higher than it is
Low approach!
How to maintain good eyesight?
Depends on physical condition
Fatigue, colds, vitamin deficiency, alcohol, stimulants, smoking and meds can impair vision
What can a pilot do to improve the effectiveness of vision at night?
Adapt eyes to dark prior to dark and maintain
Use O2 if available
Close one eye when exposed to bright light
Don’t wear sunglasses at night!
Move eyes more slowly
Blink eyes if they become blurred
Concentrate on seeing objects
Force eyes to view off center
Maintain good physical condition
Avoid smoking, drinking, and drugs
What equipment should a pilot bring when night flying?
At least one reliable flashlight (white and red light available if possible)
Extra batteries
Headlamp
Aeronautical charts, including adjacent chart if course is near edge
Keep equipment organized in cockpit so it is easy to reach when needed!
During what time period are position lights required?
Sunset to sunrise
When an AC is poerated in, or in close proximity to a night ops area, what is required of an AC?
AC must:
be clearly illuminated
Have lights position lights
Be in an area which is marked by obstruction lights
REILS
Runway End Identifier Lights
Provide rapid and positive ID of approach end of RWY
Pair of synchronized flashing lights located laterally on each side of runway threshold. May be omnidirectional or unidirectional facing approach area.
RWY centerline lighting system (RCLS)
Installed on some precision approach RWYs to facilitate landing under adverse conditions.
White lights at centerline spaced at 50’ intervals at threshold up to the final 3,000’. Alternate white and red for next 2,000’. All red for final 1,000’.
Touchdown Zone Lights (TDZL)
2 rows of transverse light bars disposed symmetrically about RWY centerline. Steady burning white lights starting at 100’ beyond landing threshold extending to 3,000’ beyond landing threshold or to midpoint of RWY, whichever is less.
Types of taxiway lights
TWY edge lights
TWY centerline lights
Clearance bar lights - At hold positions. Steady burning yellow lights
RWY guard lights - Installed at twy/rwy intersections. Either a pair of elevated flashing lights on either side of twy or in-pavement yellow lights cross taxiway
Stop bar lights - Used to confirm ATC clearance to enter/cross active rwy in low visibility. Consist of row of red, unidirectional, steady burning in-pavement lights installed across twy and a pair of elevated steady burning red lights on each side.
Types of obstruction lighting?
Aviation red obstruction lights - Flashing red beacons and steady burning aviation red lights during nighttime ops.
Medium and high intensity white obstruction lights - Daytime and twilight with reduced intensity for night ops. Not normally installed on structures less than 200’.
Dual lighting - Combo of flashing red beacons and steady burning red lights for night ops and flashing H intensity for day.
Catenary lights - M and H intensity flashing white markers for high voltage transmission lines
During preflight, what should be done to adequately prepare for a night flight?
Study all wx reports and forecasts
Calculate wind directions and speeds for intended route. Night perception of drift can be inaccurate.
Get charts for proposed route and adjacent areas. Mark lighted checkpoints clearly.
Review all radio navaids
Ensure GPS is working, current, and waypoints are loaded.
Check personal equipment for operation
Preflight AC
Check all AC lights for operation
Check ground areas for obstructions not easily visible
Guidelines to follow during start, taxi, and run-up?
Use extra caution when clearing prop-arc prior to start
During taxi, avoid unnecessary use of electrical equipment
Taxi slowly and follow taxi lines
Guidelines to follow during takeoff and departure?
On initial to roll, use REILs and landing light area to keep AC straight
On liftoff, keep positive climb using attitude indicator and VSI
During climb, don’t turn until reaching safe maneuvering altitude
Turn landing light out
What should a pilot do to provide proper orientation and NAV during night ops?
Exercise caution to avoid clouds or fog.
-First indication is gradual disappearance of lights on the ground and lights surrounded by halo
Practice and acquire competency in straight and level flight, climbs, descents, level turns, climbing and descending turns and steep turns.
Practice all maneuvers with lights out!
Monitor position, time estimates, and fuel consumed.
Procedures in event of engine failure
Same procedures as daytime emergency! Don’t Panic!
ABCD
Lighted areas: Interstate highways, roads, packing lots, etc. You will be able to see landing surface and have better landing surface. Lots of obstructions such as wires, poles, etc.
Unlighted areas: Field, lake, etc. Few obstructions but unable to see your surface and high possibility you’re landing on rough terrain. Try to land into the wind, with flaps, at minimum approach speed. Complete landing checklist and immediately before touchdown, secure all systems and open doors.
Procedures during approach and landing during night ops?
ID airport and airport lighting/rwy lighting
AC should be flown towards airport beacon until RWY lights ID’d
A powered approach should be used since visual perception during decent at night is difficult
Landing light should be switched on upon entering airport traffic area
Avoid excessive speed
