Finding Your Way In The Dark. Night Flying 

Man do I got a story. My first night flight, on one of my takeoff I was climbing and at 300ft agl I thought I saw a plane turning and heading towards the runway. I immediately leveled off and held 300ft. Freaked my instructor out into thinking we had an engine problem. My bottom hole got real tight and then I instantly realized what just happened. There is a road near the airport with a bend. Someone driving with their high beams just drove through it. It scared the hell out of me because it looked just like an aircraft light turning a short final and heading towards me! Lessons learned! Got to pay attention and be aware of roads at higher elevation with cars, especially if they have their high beams!

I can remember an old video from king schools(2007) telling us to land in a dark area at night but near lights. And just before landing, turn on the landing light. If we don't like what we see, turn off the landing light😄

I love night flying. It’s truly something you have to experience. Taking off into the abyss, and then getting your bearings as you approach 100ft. Love it!

8 for 8: The best way to get comfortable flying at night is to fly at night. When I was in the Army we did the bulk of our training events at night. I got very comfortable operating at night. Flying at night was no different. Then since I retired I have not spent much time training at night. I just did my first night flight in three years just a few weeks ago for my flight review. Talk about a reduction in proficiency.....So it was good I had a CFI with me for that flight. I was rusty, to say the least.

8 for 8! I always carry a battery powered handheld on every flight, ESPECIALLY at night. Imagine a electrical failure with no way to turn on the airport lights! Never fly without one

7/8. My first night landing was absolutely perfect...pure butter. Then I got cocky and reality set in. 🙂 My best night flying tip is to practice. You can't just do it once in a while and expect to become proficient.

We used to fly a lot at night when we lived in Iowa. We'd fly up to Wisconsin, eat dinner, and then fly back at night. I highly recommend it! Now, not at all. Too many big rocks in the sky here in Arizona. Anyone flying at night should have some extra instrument flight time so you can learn to rely on your instruments for navigation. It is very easy to think you are flying one direction when you are not! I remember one time returning from Chicago at night. I had overpowering feelings that I was too far north of course. But, I wasn't. Trust your instruments. Also, do some landings with an instructor without your lights! It will give you more confidence. 8/8

8 for 8! Preflight BEFORE dark, if possible.

8/8. Haven't had the pleasure of flying at night yet. I'll rewatch by the time I go for my night rating.

8 for 8! Loving this! Directional runway lights are the worst... I like to be able to see the runway even before I'm lined up with it. I hate being on downwind and just having to guess where the runway is...

For night flying I keep a headlamp with both white and red lights around my neck - no fumbling to try to find it if you need it quick and you can keep it pointed in the general direction of the panel / kneeboard pretty well so you can keep both hands free for flying. I keep a second headlamp or light in my flight bag along with spare batteries. A headlamp is almost always superior for preflight and inflight.

Oh, and one more thing, ask for an approach to help. Find the runway AND help you be on a safe altitude. Tough lesson that was.

7 4 8 Looking for the one I missed. I love night flying! So beautiful, such a blessing. I learned that not only extra batteries are required, it’s even better if they work. So don’t let your spare batteries get old.

8/8 On my commercial night solo XC I flew into Sugarland. I had the hardest time finding the beacon against all the lights of the Houston area. I loaded up an approach for the extra guidance until I was able to identify the airport visually.

I've never felt spaitial disorientation but, I also know I'm not immune to it. I'm not intrusment rated and I probably never will be but I am a submarine "pilot" so my go-to is my instruments and I'm always validating with my panel. Night flying is a good time to bug your headings and so on and it's nice to have a super bright landing light but keep in mind that you can blind other pilots if they're infront of you. Now, who doesn't love flying??? lollol I love this stuff!

8 for 8. An easily accessible Flashlight is most important part of night flying. I have lost all gauge lights on takeoff, no blown fuse, but a switch failure. Night flying is amazing, the world is lit up below you, the air is smooth, traffic is easy to spot, and air traffic controllers aren’t as busy.

8 for 8! nights landings are challenging for sure

8 for 8 and thoroughly enjoying the content.

8 for 8 third year in a row! Hi Jason!

8 for 8. My CFI insists on a red headlamp. I love flying at night. My best landings are at night / much easier than daytime!

8 for 8, What a great idea to practice unusual attitudes at night. I will definitely do that with a CFII soon.

8/8 having an Australian ppl I haven’t flown at night yet but doing my instrument rating which includes night vfr also. All this information is great for me to prepare.

In my night time building, I always used to prefer within the gliding distance from the airports near by and choose a route and altitude accordingly. And don’t get lost in the beauty of night views your first goal is the fly the airplane

About to go on my 1st night flight tonight- Watching to get last bits of insights- My CFI will help me greatly through it of course, but I need to be prepared ;-) Thanks for putting those together Jason!

8 for 8, Jason. A lot of GA aircraft internal lighting isn't that great. I've found a good headband lamp is a must for night time flying. I have a rugged spare battery container I keep in my side pocket with fresh AA batteries at the ready. Consistently placing charts, batteries, handheld radios, and other accessories in the same place every flight makes for a lot less fumbling around when you need them, especially in low light conditions. Great subject, Jason. Thank you for your hard work and dedication producing these videos. Much appreciated.

8 for 8! Pro tip: Find out the frequency for pilot controlled lighting ON THE GROUND and make note of it. It's not a good feeling orbiting the airport trying to figure out why the runway lights wont come on.

I fly at night with a white dimmable "lipLight". Its a great product of military origin that attaches to your headset microphone boom and is turned on and off with just a touch of your lip! The best part is that the light is always pointed in the direction you are looking and its completely hands free! I can't recommend this equipment enough!!!

8 for 8 Jason..learning more everyday, keep it up

8 for 8! Great idea on all the back up batteries matching back lights and handheld!

wow!!! I loved this video on nite flying. It is true that the conventional belief is to go to where it is dark at night with an engine failure. As a pilot just getting my night rating...I really felt uncomfortable with that rule...I'll go where I can see the ground, thank you:) and THANK YOU!! keep up the blessed work!!!

I always load an approach even if it’s a visual approach. Great way to help find the airport and situational awareness.

8 for 8 all the way. Thank you for these videos 🙏🏻

8/8 - I love night flying! It's my favorite! Every time I can I go flying at night, I do it.

8/8! Loving this series!

Class video thank you Jason!

One thing I always taught my students was your depht percession is a little wacky so pay extra attention to your flare. Thanks again for a great informative video. Billy

Good stuff as usual!!!

nice!!!!!!!

8 for 8. Jason and MzeroA team- great topic. Although I like flying at night (everything feels more relaxed), it does take more time to prepare since I don't do it enough to be proficient. Really appreciate your comment about flying towards the light instead of "aim for the dark area" in emergency landing situations. That never made sense to me, and although there are dangers with a road a least you can anticipate them when you see them. Also, after doing some night flying direct and realizing I was over areas that would be difficult to land in even during the day, I do try to schedule my flight paths from airport to airport now. Looking forward to tomorrow's lesson!

8/8. Great work.

8 for 8, excellent as always Jason!

8/8. Renter requires 90 day currency checkouts so I kicked it up up notch and did at night. Stalls at night are truly different. Instructor appreciated the night time hours too.

8/8. Thanks for these awesome videos.

8 for 8. Great series. Looking forward to tomorrow.

8/8 incredible video, I like it 😊

8/8. A comfort stop before my flight & recommend to passengers

8/8 great information, video well done.

Eight straight. Good stuff. I can't tell you how long it's been since I flew at night. Many pilots with thousands more hours than me and other pilots my age (I'm "seasoned") advise against single-engine night flight if you can avoid it. And I've avoided it even though in some ways, it's easier - there's less traffic, winds usually die down, position lights make other traffic more visible against the sky than during the day. Wrestling with the "is it worth it" thing.

8 for 8. Good flight planning is the key.

8/8 Thank you for the Checklists MzeroA!

8 of 8! A Sport Pilot can't fly at night, but good information. Medical issues will keep me only at Sport Pilot, but I love the learning.

8 for 8! Great material!

8 for 8, thanks for the great videos!

8 for 8, Thanks Jason!!

8/8....So much info packed into about 13 minutes video. you're amazing Jason, thank you so much.

8 for 8 a good information and video Happy New year to yous all fly safe at all times

8 for 8 ! Thank you for this challenge!

8 out of 8 - love these amazing lessons

8 for 8. Thanks Jason! And you snapped this time!

Catching up Jason and Magda! So good to be back and learn so much from you. Hopefully I start my fight training soon! Getting back into it with your amazing teaching! Thank you.

Always a day or so behind, but oh well. Great videos, as always. 👍👍

Awesome 😎😎😎😎😎😎😎😎😎😎

8/8!!! This is an awesome program! I look forward to January every year specifically for the 31 Day Safer Pilot Challenge! You guys and gals rock!!! Thank you!

8/8 great video

8/8 …. Agree with so many of these points…great reminders❤

8 for 8 thanks for all the effort you put into these videos!

8 for 8 thank you!!!!

8 of 8 cant wait

8 for 8! This is a lot of great information that I think is not talked about enough. Good stuff

8 for 8. What a great topic!!

8/8. I avoid night flying at my age, but these are good points.

8/8. Starting night flight in the week or so. Thanks for tips!

8 for 8 Wow Jason this training gets better and better thanks for all your hard work

8 for 8 from London UK Excellent series. Missed first series so keeping up with this one.

8 for 8, good stuff

8 for eight great wealth of knowledge being shared

8 for 8. Thank you for these online videos

8 FOR 8 - Checking in from HPN ! Jason Awesome videos

8/8 nice tips

8 for 8 , a lot of great tips on here . I especially was fond of when you mention practicing unusual attitudes and knowing how to pick out a landing spot at night should there be an emergency! Thank you Jason

8 4 8!! Just had a night flight tonight and used the things you suggested. Great timing.

8/8 Thank you ! I was taught to avoid bright lights prior to flying at night.

8 for 8 I start night training this week! weather permitting. I am flying solo tomorrow Tuesday at 2:00 so I will miss the class tomorrow-I do look forward to that every week.

8/8. Haven't done a lot of night flying. I made notes on these great tips!

Great video Jason! You mention overcoming motion sickness and having to relearn it on your night flight. How did you go about doing that?

8 of 8; I don’t often fly at night but love these tips. Will revisit this video before the next time I fly at night.

8 for 8. Working towards my first night flight. I'm excited for it.

8 for 8. 👍 Only done night flying with clear skies and more than half moon for light. 😉

8 to 8, so much learning, I've really enjoyed it. My first night flight was in amazing. I landed confidently for the first time at night.

8 for 8 sport pilot can't fly at night but learned some new stuff... thanks

Hey Jason, I fly out of EWB (New Bedford) and am on a tie down so I am familiar with the challenges of doing the pre-flight checks in cold weather day or night! It's worth it though especially for the night flying which is so beautiful on clear winter nights. Thanks for the refresher on all the things that should be considered. And stop by at EWB sometime!

8/8 here, keep ‘em coming. Wasup with the two watches😊?

Eight for eight! I confess, though, that I had to catch up on yesterday's lesson first. I just wrapped up my night flying for my PPL last week. Exhilarating and terrifying all at the same time.

8/8! Thx Y'all! I practiced landing light out landings several times at the urging of my CFI, it was not bad at all!

8/8. Love night flying

8 for 8. Thanks Jason. It's been so long since I've flown at night, I think I'll grab an instructor and go practice. Thanks again.

8 for 8! For night flying I always have a pen light (red & white) with a lanyard around my neck. Maybe it's old school to some. But I use it in every night flight.

2/8 a little busy getting ready for my check ride on Jan 19th but this information really helps and is helping me study the small things I may have overlooked. Thanks for all you do!

I have not flown at night in a while….. need to hook up with a instructor and enjoy it again!

Flying into and out of KEWB is always fun. Except for the summer. lol