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Night Operations

Preflight and Taxi​

  • Use white light for preflight
  • Taxi slowly

Takeoff​

  • Landing and taxi lights should be on
  • Runway lights should be on
  • Establish climb attitude and airspeed using flight instructions

Orientation in Flight​

  • Be aware of a halo or glow around ground lights
  • Gradual disappearance of ground light indicates your flying into a cloud
  • Over large body of water the horizon can blend with sky

Landing​

  • Landing lights can cause glare or disorientation in clouds

Emergencies​

  • Engine failure
    • Establish best glide
    • Turn to an airport
    • Troubleshoot the issue
    • Communicate the emergency on CTAF or ATC
    • If unlit area is know and suitable, land there
    • Land close to public access
  • Landing without seeing the ground
    • Hold level landing attitude at slowest possible speed

Traffic Patterns​

  • Fly a normal traffic pattern
    • Use heading indicator and GPS map as aids
    • Don't descend until you're on the base turn
  • Always keep the runway in sight as you turn

Approaches​

  • Identify runway lights as soon as you can, beacon if available
  • Use VASI/PAPI
  • Turn landing light on 1/2 through final approach
  • With a landing light: Flare when you can clearly see the tire marks
  • Without a landing light: Round out by using the end of the runway