II.H- Night Operations

Question 1

Ground lighting illusions?

Answer 1

• Regularly spaced lights along a road/highway/etc. can appear to be runway lights
• lights on moving trains have been mistaken for runway/approach lights
• Bright runway/approach lights can create the illusion that the airplane is closer to the runway

-Pilot must maintain situational awareness, cross check with instruments, use ILS/ VASI if you can

Question 2

What is the function of rods and cones and where are they located in the eye?

Answer 2

Rods- concentrated in a ring around the cones, primarily for peripheral and night vision

Cones- located in the center of the retina and functions to detect color, details, and faraway objects. After about 5-10 min, cones become adjusted to the dim light and eyes become more sensitive

Question 3

If an engine failure occurs at night, what procedures should be followed?

Answer 3

• Maintain positive control/best glide
• turn towards an airport or or away from a congested area
• Determine cause of malfunction
• Declare emergency with ATC

Question 4

Explain the procedure for conducting an approach and landing at night with no landing light.

Answer 4

Round out may be started when the runway lights at the far end of the runway first appear to be rising higher than the nose of the airplane.

Blackout landing should be included in night training as an emergency procedure

Question 5

Airport/heliport beacons

Answer 5

Have a vertical light distribution to make them most effective from one to ten degrees above the horizon.

Color combinations:
White and green - civilian land airport
2 white (flashes) and green - military land airport
White and yellow - water airport
Green, yellow, and white - lighted heliport.