Night Flying

[orangemtl]

"....if you are uncomfortable flying at night or with VFR (1000 foot) ceilings, I suppose you should restrict your flying to Arizona."

Gosh, in all this time I've lived in Arizona, I'd never noticed until now that it's NEVER nighttime here!  Can't figure out how I've somehow missed that.

Your point is a perfectly good one, in all honesty---for those who are IFR rated. Hardly worth having an instrument rating if you cannot/chose not to fly at night, yes?   In VFR, life is still a bit more restricted. PilotDerek makes a good point; I'm based maybe 100 miles from him, and let me tell you, there's not much in this world darker than the Mojave desert on a moonless night. 

First time I chose to do some night work alone a few months ago, I chose a moonless night. Wow.  You can stare at that MFD all you want, and see that the peaks are well below you, but: well, let's just add another 1000 feet of altitude, juuuuussst to make sure....  Perhaps it's just the lowtimer in me, but it's somehow more nerve racking to fly at night in a mountainous area.  It is, however fun.  It's also, at least for me, less distressing to fly home in the dark than to fly somewhere relatively new.  I'm trying to do some night work no less than once per month, whether actual 'going somewhere' flight, or simply local pattern and maneuver work.  Permanent or handheld glass panel maps certainly take some of the scare factor out of it, at least for me.

[M016576]

Quote: Bnicolette

ah oh...........Now you've done it.  Derailment is about to take place.  LOL

Different strokes.  It's all about managing risk for me.  I don't think a 1000' ceiling is very restrictive?  How often do the ceilings fall below 1000'?  Nevermind, doesn't matter.  That just happens to be my personal limit in the Mooney before I decide to just not fly or drive if I was going somewhere.  It's just how I manage risk in my single engine world.

And you are right about the engines being so reliable and pilots being the cause of the accidents.

It's all good.  Whatever we all like to do.  In aviation we all have to set our personal minimums and certainly mine will be different from everybody elses.  There are arguments for all sides and could play the "what if" game to death.  Manage risk and have a great time flying the Mooney.

[rubixcube2k3]

There's no doubt about night flight being a much more inviting set of scenery. My copilot (also read "Wife") enjoys night flight much more than day flight. Considering that I'm not Instrument rated yet, I 'm not sure how much I'll like IMC night flight, but I will be the first to say that I'll definitely try it before knocking it. The smooth air near the ground for landing and sight seeing purposes is always pleasant to me.

All that  being said, on the other hand, every flight is about what you feel comfortable with. I'm over 130hrs in my Mooney this year alone, and nearly 50 hours total logged night so far. I don't hesitate to take off at night because I do it so often (kinda didn't have a choice since i get to work sunrise to sunset). However for a person who hasn't recently/frequently experienced it, there could be a challenge in achieving that level of comfort. The main thing to remember, is that if you, as the pilot aren't comfortable - DON'T PUSH IT! +10 for Risk Management....I've scrubbed flights before day and night - just because I didin't feel 100%, didn't like the weather despite the forecast, saw an unfamiliar light flash on the panel after startup...the list goes on and on... Bottom line is that I'm here to tell about it, so those aborts must mean I did something right, because my chances of an incident increase when I take off - knowing I should leave it for another day.

Another thought I just had  - If you're in the area, I'm based about 15 miles from OB and would be happy to do some night flying with you in either of our planes. The biggest problem I had was overcoming the urge to flare high at night, and knowing just how close to get so that I didn't get to test out my new gear biscuits for full range of motion.

[flyboy0681]

Quote: orangemtl

.. and let me tell you, there's not much in this world darker than the Mojave desert on a moonless night. 

[sapientia]

Not a Mooniac yet, but I just took my first cross country night flight yesterday as my requirement for my PPL.  I enjoyed it considerably more than the day flights.  It was so peaceful, the comms. were much quieter, landings seemed easier for some reason, all in all a great experience.  I should have my PPL by the end of next week.  After that I plan on building my time up in rentals and buying my first plane next spring/summer which I plan on being a Mooney!

[1964-M20E]

I prefer not to start a long flight at night but I have finished several already where the last hour or so was in the dark usually when heading home.  The night time portion of the flight in the area I know the best and I generally try to make an evening flight after work to stay current on night flight.

[PilotDerek]

Quote: flyboy0681

Try the Everglades.

[flyboy0681]

Quote: PilotDerek

Try the Everglades.

[PilotDerek]

Quote: sapientia

After that I plan on building my time up in rentals and buying my first plane next spring/summer which I plan on being a Mooney!

[jetdriven]

right on Gunny, when we found the right plane, we jumped on it.

[The-sky-captain]

Quote: 1964-M20E

I prefer not to start a long flight at night but I have finished several already where the last hour or so was in the dark usually when heading home.  The night time portion of the flight in the area I know the best and I generally try to make an evening flight after work to stay current on night flight.

[fantom]

Quote: flyboy0681

Try the Everglades.

[aviatoreb]

Quote: sapientia

Not a Mooniac yet, but I just took my first cross country night flight yesterday as my requirement for my PPL.  I enjoyed it considerably more than the day flights.  It was so peaceful, the comms. were much quieter, landings seemed easier for some reason, all in all a great experience.  I should have my PPL by the end of next week.  After that I plan on building my time up in rentals and buying my first plane next spring/summer which I plan on being a Mooney!

[jetdriven]

attutide landing is in order.  flare to 3-5 degrees, and hold it .  wait..    wait.    wait.  OK, on the ground now.

[aviatoreb]

Quote: jetdriven

attutide landing is in order.  flare to 3-5 degrees, and hold it .  wait..    wait.    wait.  OK, on the ground now.

[jetdriven]

at 20 feet

[MARZ]

I hosed my first couple night landings when training until the CFI told me to turn off my landing light.   I just kept pointing the plane to where the light was shining.   Luckily it was a trainer and not my baby

[sapientia]

Quote: PilotDerek

 

Why wait? If it a money thing I can understand, but if you have the resources buy your Mooney now vice spending money renting if this is what you truly want. Best plane to build time in is your own plane. I am sure there will be plenty of nay sayers out there, but if you find the right plane jump on it, don't worry about how many hours you got. Just my two cents. Good luck on your check ride. Remember just relax and fly the plane.

[aviatoreb]

Quote: sapientia

Thanks for the advice!  One reason for waiting is living in the mountains with winter about to set in, also limited hanger options at the moment.  And I am waiting on a larger investment to begin showing a return, hopefully by February, before I buy a plane.  As far as the plane goes I am wanting to jump right in and get a Mooney Rocket!  That would be a whole lot of plane for someone who just got there PPL so I figure waiting a few months will help continue to build my confidence and experience level.  I am keeping a close eye on the available Rockets though.

[gregwatts]

Quote: aviatoreb

[gregwatts]

Quote: aviatoreb

I don't understand jetdriven. Is that a comment to my remark about the illusion of when to flare in diminished light? I land quite nicely in the day and attitude is the trick to hold off the nose until its ready to settle onto the mains on its own - but how does what you said help me to begin the flair at the correct height if I have an optical illusion of being lower than I am? As I said, it is not a problem since I know I am prone to this problem and so I can force will myself past it - it is not a matter of attitude but timing of when to begin.

[aviatoreb]

Quote: jetdriven

at 20 feet

[jetdriven]

pretty much.  if there is no visual reference, then set up a 3-5 degree  pitch attitude and walk the power off to maintain a slow descent.  let the plane land itself.

[Piloto]

Quote: MATTS875

Thanks for all the responses.Just like last time..the more I fly , the more comfortable I am. something about flying back from the beach and lighting up the runway..10 year old daughter likes it

[Piloto]

Quote: MATTS875

Thanks for all the responses.Just like last time..the more I fly , the more comfortable I am. something about flying back from the beach and lighting up the runway..10 year old daughter likes it