Night Flying

LauraE51

LauraE51

Pre-takeoff checklist
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Nov 24, 2013
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272
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Modesto,CA
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Laura
In my second life as a pilot (i took 42 years off), i'd like to continue my training with some night work. while i earned my BFR a few months ago, i've spent more of my time since practicing rather than actually going places. That will soon change, but i'd like to get checked out for night flight before then.

My only past experience with night flight was during my training (in the 60s) and i don't have fond memories. It's not that i couldn't aviate at night. that was fine. What i didn't enjoy was navigating, what with losing references on the ground and utilizing multiple VORs to find my position. Now, with strobes on every plane, FlightFolllowing, ForeFlight and the Garmin 430, navigation should be no problem at night.

I did buy a small red/white LED flashlight and was thinking about also purchasing the Princeton Tec Fred Headlamp so i won't have to fiddle around with a handheld. Do any of you use a headlamp and what are your experiences or recommendations?

Finally, i'd appreciate any advice you may have regarding night flight.

And, yes, i'm going up with my CFI.

In advance, thanks.

Brian
 
Enjoy your flight,there are more lights on the ground than in the 60s. Having a 430 and fore flight will make it much easier. Have several head lamps ,have never used them. Use aircraft lighting or a small handheld.
 
Get a big flashlight, my 2-AA LED light was pretty small when my ksnding light died and I stuck it out the window to taxi at 1130 pm. The compact fluorescent runway lights didn't provide much illumination.
 
I really like this small headlamp; it's lightweight enough that I don't feel it when I'm wearing it.

http://www.amazon.com/Petzl-Compact...8&qid=1414148443&sr=8-1&keywords=petzl+e+lite

Mine has a different headband, but about my biggest complaint is getting the headband folded back up so it'll fit in the small plastic case it comes in. I think I'd prefer the retractable band this version has.

Edit: This headlamp is great for the cockpit. I also have a separate flashlight for use outside the plane during preflight; the light from this headlamp is marginal at best for preflight work.
 
I'm a big fan of headlamps. I use this one and found it to be bright enough for preflight on the high setting.
 
I too had a very long quietus in my flying. I think you will find it much easier to navigate today. In fact, in this day of GPS, navigation is almost a non issue, night OR day. That's not to say that you don't need to worry about a backup plan. Simply plot the heading to your next destination, make note of it and fly it. Once you are flying the heading, then the GPS itself is the backup.

Something you have in your favor is the fact that you learned to use a plotter and an E6B to do your own planning. That makes it much more intuitive to learn apps like Foreflight, because you understand what they are doing.

Unless you're flying an aircraft with no panel lights, you should only need the headlamp if you have to go to your fallback position of looking at the paper chart.

The most important thing is that you are exploring all these things, which means you have an attitude for thinking ahead and providing a fall back position.

My $0.02,
 
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I too, am getting back into flying after more than thirty years. Just took my first solo XC to a place I had never been before. Will be getting into night flying soon, especially now that the days are getting shorter.

I plan to get one of these: http://www.amazon.com/Energizer-Per..._sim_sg_5?ie=UTF8&refRID=0HV44KD8Q6B44ZMB0QT0

My biggest concerns will be finding the airport in the sea of lights that is the LA area, and also the mountains that border the area.
 
If you're looking for a headlamp with both red and white LEDs, it would in my opinion be ideal if it has a switch or a user-settable mode that lets you switch between red-off-red-off-..., rather than red-WHITE-off-red-WHITE-off...

I had an Energizer brand light that did the latter and it was very annoying to get to the red illumination without threatening your night vision.

It was more expensive, about $50, but I really like my Petzl Tikka XP2 headlamp from Sport Chalet. Red. White. Zoom lens. Tiltable. And, best of all, you can hold the button down for a couple of seconds to switch between Red-OFF mode and White-OFF mode.
 
I do a lot of night flying on returns from long cross counties. Personally not a fan of headlamps, but whatever you get make sure it has a dual red and white light option.

Here is the one that I use...it stays in the pocket of my kneeboard when flying at night for easy access. Use the red light mostly, but having the brighter white at your fingertips is also helpful.

http://www.sportys.com/PilotShop/product/11845

For me, I actually enjoy flying and landing at night and took to it quite easliy. I feel much more at ease. Seems like there are less distractions and can focus on the numbers and precision.
 
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I found it very easy and effective to turn a while light headlamp into a red or blue (I like blue better than red and it still protects your night vision) light with a Sharpie if you can't find the milti-color unit you want.
 
Funny thing, all the electronics hasn't really made spotting a runway at night any easier.:lol:
 
I bought a decent headlamp at REI for about 30.00. You can try out their features there. It's worth a trip if one (or a similar camping/hiking specialty store) is close by. I wouldn't plan to fly at night without mine.

There are also some gloves with built in lights you might like, too.

http://www.sportys.com/pilotshop/product/16334
 
register@teamandras.com said:
If you're looking for a headlamp with both red and white LEDs, it would in my opinion be ideal if it has a switch or a user-settable mode that lets you switch between red-off-red-off-..., rather than red-WHITE-off-red-WHITE-off...

I had an Energizer brand light that did the latter and it was very annoying to get to the red illumination without threatening your night vision.
Click to expand...

This.
 
Henning said:
Funny thing, all the electronics hasn't really made spotting a runway at night any easier.:lol:
Click to expand...


I just extend the centerline on my GPS.


Oh yeah, PTZL headlight is great too!
 
Hank S said:
Get a big flashlight, my 2-AA LED light was pretty small when my ksnding light died and I stuck it out the window to taxi at 1130 pm. The compact fluorescent runway lights didn't provide much illumination.
Click to expand...

Turn out all the cockpit lights and let your eyes acclimate. Unless its fogged in you should be able to see to move with a mark 1 eyeball. Cockpit lights shouldn't be all that bright anyways so you HAVE some night vision...
 
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