Night Preparation Flashcards
Name the two distinct types of light-sensitive cells located in the retina of the eye
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
Cones are used to detect color, detail and far-away objects and are located at the center of the retina at the back of the eye. They are less sensitive to light and required a higher level of intensity to become active and thus are more useful in the daylight hours
What is the function of the rods, and where are they located in the eye
Rods are located in the back of the eye or retina. The rods 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. Both the cones and the rods are used for vision during daylight. In the absence of normal light, the process of 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
The cones will take approximately 5 to 10 minutes to become adjusted to darkness. Much more time - about 30 minutes - is needed for the rods to become adjusted to darkness
What should the pilot do to accommodate changing light conditons
The pilot should allow enough time for the eyes to become adapted to the low light levels, and then should avoid exposure to bright light which could cause temporary blindness
Give several examples of illusions related to ground lighting conditoins
On a clear night, distant stationary lights can be mistaken for start or other aircraft. Certain geometrical patterns of ground lights, such as freeway, runway, approach, or even lights on a moving train can cause confusion. Dark night tend to eliminate references to a visual horizon
A 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. Without peripheral visual cues to help, pilots will have trouble orientating themselves relative to Earth. The runway can seem out of position (down/up sloping) and in the worse case, result in landing short of the runway
Night landings can be complicated by the difficulty of judging distance and the possibility of confusing approach and runway lights. For example, when a double row of approach lights joins the boundary lights of the runway, there can be confusion where the approach lights terminate and runway lights begin. Under certain conditions, approach lights can make the aircraft seem higher in a turn to final, then when its wings are level
During takeoff you suddenly feel as if the aircraft is in an excessively high nose-up attitude. What type of illusion is this
Somatogravic illusion. A rapid acceleration during takeoff can create the illusion of being in a nose up attitude. A pilot disorientated by a somatogravic illusion may respond by pushing the aircraft into the 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
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
Good eyesight depends upon physical conditions. 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
Adapt the eyes to darkness prior to flight and keep them adapted. About 30 min is needed to adjust after exposure to a bright light
If oxygen is available, use it during night flying. Significant deterioration in night vision can occur at cabing altitudes as low as 5,000’
Close one eye when exposed to bright light to help avoid the blinding effect
Do not wear sunglasses after sunset
Move the eyes more slowly than in daylight
Blink the eyes if they become blurred
Concentrate on seeing objects
Force the eyes to view off center
Maintain good physical condition
Avoid smoking, drinking, and using drugs that may be harmful
What equipment should the pilot have for night flight ops
At least one reliable flashlight is recommended as standard equipment on all night flights. A reliable incandescent or light-emitting diode flashlight able to produce white/red light and blue for chart reading is preferable. Include a second flashlight such as a head-mounted types as backup. The white light is used while performing the preflight visual inspection, and the red light is used when performing cockpit ops. A spare set of batteries is also recommended
What other items should the pilot have on board for night flights
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
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 A/C are observed, and the red light is on the left and the green on 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
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
The A/C must
be clearly illuminated
have lighted position lights or
be in an area which is marked by obstruction lights
Are aircraft anticollision lights required to be on during night flight operations
yes; however, the anticollision lights need not be lighted when the PIC 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)
REILs are installed at many airfields to provided rapid and positive identification of the approach end of a particular runway. Th esystem consist 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
Runway edge light are used to outline the edge of runways during periods of darkness or restricted visibility conditions. They are white, except on instrument runways yellow replaced white on the last 2,000’ 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 or producing, High Intensity RUnway Lights (HIRL) Medium Intensity runway light (MIRL) and the Low intensity runway lights (LIRL)
Describe a runway centerline lighting system (RCLS)
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’ intervals. When viewed from the landing threshold, the runway centerline lights are white until the last 3,000’ of the runway. The white lights begin to alternate white red for the next 2,000’ and for the last 1,000’ all center line lights are red
What are Touchdown zone lights TDZL
TDZL consist of two rows of transverse light bars disposed symmetrically about the runway centerline. The system consist of steady-buring white lights which start at 100’ beyond the landing threshold and extend to 3,000’ beyond the landing threshold or to the midpoint of the runway, whichever is less
Describe several different types of taxiway lights
Taxiway edge light - outline the edge of taxiways; consist of blue lights
Taxiway centerline lights - assist ground traffic in low visibility conditions; consist of steady burning green lights
Clearance bar lights - installed at holding positions on taxiways; consist of three in-pavement steady-burning yellow lights
Runway guard lights - Installed at taxiway/runway intersections; consists of either a pair or elevated flashing light on either side of taxiway or in pavement yellow lights installed across the taxiway
Stop bar lights - used to confirm ATC clearance to enter or cross an active runway in low visibility conditions; consists of a row or red, unidirectional, steady-burning in-pavement lights installed across the taxiway and a pair of elevated steady burning red light on each side
What are the different types or rotating beacons used to identify airports
White and green - Lighted land airport Green alone - Lighted land airport White & yellow - lighted water airport Yellow alone - lighted water airport Grene, yellow & white - Lighted heliport 2x white and green - lighted military airport
Describe several types of obstruction lighting
Aviation red obstruction lights - flashing aviation red beacons and steady burning aviation red lights during nighttime operations
Medium and high intensity white obstruction lights - may be used during daytime and twilight with reduced intensity for nighttime ops. Not normally installed on structures less than 2,000’
Dual lighting - A combination of flashing aviation red beacons and steady-burning aviation red light for nighttime ops and flashing high intensity white lights for daytime ops
Catenary lighting - medium and high intensity flashing white markers for high voltage transmission lines and support structures
How does a pilot determine the status of alight system at a particular airport
Chart Supplement and NOTAMs to find the available lighting systems, light intensities and radio-controlled light system frequencies
