To some pilots competence at operating an aircraft in safety at night may be a requirement to meet the need of their particular operations but to others it may be as a form of insurance in case they inadvertently find themselves airborne after darkness has fallen. In either case, pilots who do not hold a night rating and wish to become competent at night flying will need to undergo further struc­tured ground and flight training.

It will be important to appreciate that when flying at night you must possess a greater awareness of your abilities and limitations, and observe more caution than during day operations because the horizon, the ground and all normal visual aids used in day flying will be indistinct and obscure or totally lacking, in a sense flight by night is similar to being in IFR conditions.

There is therefore clearly a need for you to receive sufficient training in inst­rument flying to ensure you are able to maintain control over an aircraft without reference to external visual aids. The necessary performance standard requires that you should be able to achieve and maintain straight and level, climbing, descending and turning flight at various power settings and aircraft configurat­ions, and you must also demonstrate your ability to recover from stalls and unusual attitudes.

NIGHT NAVIGATION

You will already have learned and perhaps experienced the problems which arise through weather deterioration during day flying. At night, the onset of worsen­ing weather conditions will often be much more difficult to recognise until it is too late e.g. until such weather has been penetrated. Therefore an important consideration in any cross country flying is that the weather may vary widely throughout the flight even when only short cross country legs are flown.

To avoid weather difficulties during flight at night, you should not make the mistake of flying into areas where your weather knowledge is inadequate. Careful planning, and correct interpretation of an accurate weather forecast for the area covered by the flight are essential ingredients of safe flight. Armed with this information you can more safely plan the flight and avoid placing yourself and your passengers at risk.

You will need to have obtained knowledge of and demonstrated competence in the following items before being issued with a night rating:

LEGISLATION REQUIREMENTS FOR NIGHT OPERATIONS

• Aircraft Equipment
• Aircraft Lights
• Flight Crew Licences/Ratings
• Aerodrome Licensing

NIGHT OPERATIONS

• Preparation for Flight
• Taxying
• Take-Off Procedures
• Airfield Departure and Arrival Procedures
• Approach and Landing Procedures
• Going Round Again

NIGHT NAVIGATION

• Flight Planning
• In-Flight Procedures
• Safety Altitude Considerations
• Weather Awareness

NIGHT EMERGENCIES

A night flying briefing is an integral part of night flying training and during this briefing your instructor wil1 cover such items as:

• Preparation for Flight
• Airfield Lighting Systems
• Taxying Procedures
• Local Procedures
• Circuit Procedures
• Emergencies
• The Anticipated Weather Conditions for the Period

If you plan wisely prior to flight and gain competence in night flying you will have acquired an increased appreciation of your flying environment, together with additional skills, both of which will improve your efficiency and safety.