Night Operations Flashcards
Name the two distinct types of light-sensitive cells located in the retina of the eye. (FAA‑H‑8083‑3)
Rods and cones are the light-sensitive cells located in the retina.
What is the function of the cones, and where are they located in the eye? (FAA‑H‑8083‑3) Show Answer
The cones are used to detect color, detail and far-away objects
Located in the center of the retina at the back of the eye.
Most useful in the daylight hours.
What is the function of the rods, and where are they located in the eye? (FAA‑H‑8083‑3)
Rods are located in the back of the eye or retina.
Function when something is seen out of the corner of the eye or peripheral vision.
They detect objects, particularly those that are moving, but do not give detail or color — only shades of gray.
Night vision is placed almost entirely on the rods.
What is the average time it takes for the rods and cones to become adapted to darkness? (FAA‑H‑8083‑3)
Cones -5-10 mins
Rods - 30 minutes
What should the pilot do to accommodate changing light conditions? (FAA‑H‑8083‑3) Show Answer
Allow enough time for the eyes to become adapted to the low light levels
Avoid exposure to bright light which could cause temporary blindness.
Give several examples of illusions related to ground lighting conditions. (FAA‑H‑8083‑3)
a. Stationary lights can be mistaken for stars or other aircraft. Dark nights tend to eliminate reference to a visual horizon.
b. Black-hole approach occurs when the landing is made from over water or non-lighted terrain where the runway lights are the only source of light. The runway can seem out of position (downsloping or upsloping) and in the worse case, results in landing short of the runway.
c. Difficulty judging distance and the possibility of confusing approach and runway lights.
During takeoff you suddenly feel as if the aircraft is in an excessively high nose-up attitude. What type of illusion is this? (AIM 8-1-5)
Somatogravic illusion. A rapid acceleration during takeoff can create the illusion of being in a nose up attitude. A pilot disoriented by a somatogravic illusion may respond by pushing the aircraft into a nose low, or dive attitude.
When approaching a well-lit runway surrounded by a dark area with little or no features, what illusion should a pilot be alert for? (AIM 8‑1‑5)
Featureless terrain illusion — an absence of ground features, as when landing over water, darkened areas, and terrain made featureless by snow, can create the illusion that the aircraft is at a higher altitude than it actually is. The pilot who does not recognize this illusion will fly a lower approach.
What should the pilot do to maintain good eyesight? (FAA‑H‑8083‑3)
Good eyesight depends upon physical condition. Fatigue, colds, vitamin deficiency, alcohol, stimulants, smoking, or medication can seriously impair vision.
What can the pilot do to improve the effectiveness of vision at night? (FAA‑H‑8083‑3)
a. Adapt the eyes to darkness prior to flight and keep them adapted. About 30 minutes is needed to adjust after exposure to a bright light.
b. If oxygen is available, use it during night flying. Significant deterioration in night vision can occur at cabin altitudes as low as 5,000 feet.
c. Close one eye when exposed to bright light to help avoid the blinding effect.
d. Do not wear sunglasses after sunset.
e. Move the eyes more slowly than in daylight.
f. Blink the eyes if they become blurred.
g. Concentrate on seeing objects.
h. Force the eyes to view off center.
i. Maintain good physical condition.
j. Avoid smoking, drinking, and using drugs that may be harmful.
What equipment should the pilot have for night flight operations? (FAA‑H‑8083‑3)
At least one reliable flashlight is recommended as standard equipment on all night flights.
A reliable incandescent or light-emitting diode (LED) flashlight able to produce white/red light and blue for chart reading is preferable.
Include a second flashlight (such as a head-mounted type) as a backup.
The white light is used while performing the preflight visual inspection, and the red light is used when performing cockpit operations. A spare set of batteries is also recommended.
What other items should the pilot have on board for night flights? (FAA‑H‑8083‑3)
Aeronautical charts are essential for night cross-country flight and, if the intended course is near the edge of the chart, the adjacent chart should also be available.
It is also recommended to have a spare set of batteries for the flashlight readily available. Organize equipment and charts and place them within easy reach prior to taxiing.
Explain the arrangement and interpretation of the position lights on an aircraft. (FAA‑H‑8083‑3)
right wing
left wing
seeing both red and green lights of another aircraft
A red light is positioned on the left wingtip, a green light on the right wingtip, and a white light on the tail.
If both a red and green light of another aircraft are observed, and the red light is on the left and the green to the right, the airplane is flying in the same direction.
Care must be taken not to overtake the other aircraft and to maintain clearance.
If red were on the right and green to the left, the airplane could be on a collision course.
Position lights are required to be on during what period of time? (14 CFR 91.209)
From sunset to sunrise.
When an aircraft is operated in, or in close proximity to, a night operations area, what is required of an aircraft? (14 CFR 91.209)
The aircraft must: a. be clearly illuminated, b. have lighted position lights, or c. be in an area which is marked by obstruction lights.
Are aircraft anticollision lights required to be on during night flight operations? (14 CFR 91.209) Show Answer
Yes; however, the anticollision lights need not be lighted when the pilot-in-command determines that, because of operating conditions, it would be in the interest of safety to turn the lights off.
What are Runway End Identifier Lights (REIL)? (AIM 2‑1‑3)
Provide rapid and positive identification of the approach end of a particular runway.
The system consists of a pair of synchronized flashing lights located laterally on each side of the runway threshold. REILs may be omnidirectional or unidirectional facing the approach area.
Describe a Runway Edge Light System. (AIM 2‑1‑4)
Runway edge lights are used to outline the edges of runways during periods of darkness or restricted visibility conditions.
They are white, except on instrument runways yellow replaces white on the last 2,000 feet or half the runway length, whichever is less, to form a caution zone for landings.
The lights marking the ends of the runway emit red light toward the runway to indicate the end of runway to a departing aircraft and emit green outward from the runway end to indicate the threshold to landing aircraft.
These light systems are classified according to the intensity or brightness they are capable of producing. Examples are: High Intensity Runway Lights (HIRL), Medium Intensity Runway Lights (MIRL), and the Low Intensity Runway Lights (LIRL).
Describe a Runway Centerline Lighting System (RCLS). (AIM 2‑1‑5)
Runway centerline lights — installed on some precision approach runways to facilitate landing under adverse visibility conditions.
They are located along the runway centerline and are spaced at 50-foot intervals.
When viewed from the landing threshold, the runway centerline lights are white until the last 3,000 feet of the runway. The white lights begin to alternate with red for the next 2,000 feet, and for the last 1,000 feet of the runway, all centerline lights are red.
What are Touchdown Zone Lights (TDZL)? (AIM 2‑1‑5)
Touchdown zone lights consist of two rows of transverse light bars disposed symmetrically about the runway centerline.
The system consists of steady-burning white lights which start at 100 feet beyond the landing threshold and extend to 3,000 feet beyond the landing threshold or to the midpoint of the runway, whichever is less.
Describe several different types of taxiway lighting. (AIM 2‑1‑11) Show Answer
a. Taxiway edge lights — outline the edges of taxiways; consist of blue lights.
b. Taxiway centerline lights — assists ground traffic in low visibility conditions; consists of steady-burning green lights.
c. Clearance bar lights — installed at holding positions on taxiways; consist of three in-pavement steady-burning yellow lights.
d. Runway guard lights — installed at taxiway/runway intersections; consists of either a pair of elevated flashing lights on either side of taxiway or in-pavement yellow lights installed across the taxiway.
e. Stop bar lights — used to confirm ATC clearance to enter or cross an active runway in low visibility conditions; consists of a row of red, unidirectional, steady-burning in-pavement lights installed across the taxiway and a pair of elevated steady burning red lights on each side.
What are the different types of rotating beacons used to identify airports? (AIM 2‑1‑10) Show Answer
White and green. Lighted land airport
Green alone. *Lighted land airport
White & yellow. Lighted water airport
Yellow alone. *Lighted water airport
Green, yellow & white. Lighted heliport
White (dual peaked & green). Lighted military airport *Green alone or yellow alone is used only in connection with a white and green or white and yellow beacon display respectively.
