Night Flying

Question 1

What period is defined as night flying?

Answer 1

After the End of Evening Civil Twilight (EECT) and before the Beginning of Morning Civil Twilight (BMCT)

Question 2

What are the max winds allowed for night flying when dual and solo?

Answer 2

Dual - Max 30kts steady, max gusts 35kts

Solo - Max 25kts steady, max gusts 30kts

Question 3

What are the cloud base and visibility requirements for night circuits when dual and solo?

Answer 3

Dual - 5km vis + 1000ft QFE main cloudbase

Solo - 5km vs + 1500ft QFE main cloudbase

Question 4

What type of cloud formation prevents solo student flying when forecast in the intended sortie area?

Answer 4

Cumulonimbus

Question 5

What is the minimum height at which steep turns can be flown?

Answer 5

2000ft AGL

Must also be under ATC radar service

Question 6

What are the requirements for practicing UPs at night?

Answer 6

Min height 5000ft AGL

VMC and defined horizon throughout

Max 90 deg. pitch/bank

Question 7

What manoeuvres are prohibited at night?

Answer 7

Dual and Solo:
Aeros, spinning, close and tac form

Solo:
Penetration descent below FL100 or if IMC

Question 8

What nav lights are on the left and right wingtip respectively?

Answer 8

Red = Left wingtip
Green = Right wingtip

Use this to help orientate an aircraft and predict its flightpath when looking out for traffic at night

Question 9

When must the nav lights be switched on during night flying?

Answer 9

Whenever the aircraft is manned

Question 10

How is the selection of the LDG light different at night?

Answer 10

It is switched on with the taxi light when clear of dispersal, and remains on until being switched off along with the taxi light prior to dispersal entry

Question 11

How do the checks differ when night flying?

Answer 11

After the external checks, carry out the PRE-START checks and electrical checks.

Then switch on the nav lights and cockpit lighting. This will indicate that the aircraft is manned and the cockpit lighting will assist with your strap in and remaining checks.

Question 12

Can you carry out the checks before take-off when taxying at night?

Answer 12

No
Checks before take-off must be carried out when stationary at the holding position

Question 13

How does visibility differ when flying into moon?

Answer 13

Visibility into moon is better than down moon - it is the opposite to the sun

Question 14

How are UPs flown at night?

Answer 14

Use the IF recovery techniques, i.e. they are flown on the PFD

Question 15

If you have turned off strobes because they are distracting in cloud, what is the latest point at which they must be turned back on?

Answer 15

They must be on to join the circuit

Question 16

How does the wind at circuit height differ at night for the same surface wind conditions?

Answer 16

Usually stronger and further veered

May result in large angled of drift downwind for the same surface conditions

The steeper wind gradient between the surface and circuit height may cause wind shear down the final approach

Question 17

What height do you climb ahead to at night before turning downwind?

Answer 17

1000ft QFE

Question 18

After a touch and go you level at 500ft for a low level circuit. How long should you extend for before turning downwind?

Answer 18

10 seconds

Question 19

What additional call needs to be made in the circuit at night?

Answer 19

“C/S turning” (or “C/S turning late”)

Made when turning downwind from the deadside, either from a go-around or when joining/re-joining

When turning from the deadside to downwind, remember that aircraft on a touch and go will be climbing ahead to 1000ft QFE before they turn

Question 20

Where should you place the FPM on the final approach?

Answer 20

Beyond the green threshold lights to ensure you don’t end up too low too early.

Should be 3 deg. ND in the HUD

PAPIs will indicate 2 reds and 2 whites at approx. 2-300ft
This will sink in to 4 reds just before touchdown

Question 21

How should the runway edge lights look when on the correct approach path?

Answer 21

Like a ‘string of pearls’

If they have gaps you are too steep
If they form a single line you are too shallow

Question 22

If you get 4 reds on the PAPIs before gaining sufficient visual references for touchdown, what should you do?

Answer 22

Go around without delay