The student will become familiar with night operations, runway
incursion avoidance, aeromedical factors and illusions.
The student should display an understanding of night operations,
runway incursion avoidance aeromedical factors and illusions.
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Sunset to sunrise, aircraft must have position lights (FAR 91.209)
Anticollision lights (prior to 8/11/71) (FAR 91.205)
Landing light - if operated for hire (FAR 91.205)
Electrical supply
Spare fuses
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Runway Incursion Avoidance
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Physiological Aspects of Night Flight
Visual Scanning Techniques and Considerations
Night Visual Illusions
Distant stationary lights can be mistaken for stars or other aircraft
Cloud layers or even the northern lights can confuse a pilot and indicate a false 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
Bright runway and approach lighting systems, especially where few lights illuminate the surrounding terrain, may create the illusion of being lower or having less distance to the runway
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Spatial Disorientation, Motion Sickness and Inflight Illusions
Hypoxia, Hyperventilation, and Carbon Monoxide Poisoning
Hypoxia - Lack of oxygen to the tissues
Hyperventiliation - Too little CO2 in the blood
Carbon Monoxide Poisoning - Susceptibility increases as altitude increases
Middle Ear and Sinus Problems
Stress, Fatigue, and Dehydration
Dark adaptation is impaired by exposure cabin pressure altitudes above 5,000 ft, carbon monoxide, deficiency of vitamin A, and by prolonged exposure to direct sunlight.
