Night Flying Essentials: What Changes After Dark

My first night flight is a core memory. My instructor and I requested flight following and we were rewarded with entrance through the Bravo and a chance to see Atlanta’s Hartsfield-Jackson and other landmarks from the air. The air was calm (no summer thermals at 10pm), and traffic was minimal. My instructor took controls for long enough for me to get some tourist photos from that unique perspective, and then we were off to our first point of landing. Once outside of the city lights and into the suburbs towards the south, it was much darker and hard to see where we were heading - it was like a black hole underneath us. Once we saw the beacon, she reminded me to turn on the pilot-controlled lighting, and eureka! A runway and taxiway lights appeared like an oasis in the desert and we were able to land safely.

Flying at night can be a calm and almost meditative experience with the smooth air and low volume of traffic. However, there are some special considerations that every pilot should take into account as to what is different and how to plan appropriately for a safe flight.

When planning a night flight, be more conservative with your personal minimums. For example, I won’t go over the mountains in a single-engine plane at night. Add additional fuel reserve just in case - 45 minutes is good, an hour is even better. Also, consider keeping closer to airports along the route instead of just going direct on the GPS. If you run into trouble, you won’t be able to distinguish a cornfield from a housing development in the dark. Don’t skimp on the weather and route briefing, as things you can see and avoid during the day (terrain, clouds, storms) become much more difficult to spot at night. If you’ll need fuel or a comfort break, check if the stops you plan have overnight services - a quick call to the FBO to confirm is worth the time, as online sources may not be up to date.

During your preflight, you will check all required lighting is operational, but don’t forget to see what your panel lighting looks like. Will you be able to see a checklist? A headlamp with a red light or a rechargeable clip-on red light are great investments. A flashlight, snacks, and a change of clothes in your bag could also be useful in case of a flat tire or other issue on the ground along the way.

As you set off, request flight following from ATC. They will be another set of eyes for you as you try to determine if that light is a star or a plane (yes, I’ve mistaken a satellite for distant traffic), and alert you to other hazards. And sometimes it’s just nice to have someone to talk to when you are single pilot at night.

Physiology also changes at night. Use the IMSAFE checklist to make sure that you are safe to make the flight. Fatigue and hydration after a long day will impact your skills, vision, and how your body reacts to being at altitude. Hypoxia can set in lower at night (as low as 5000 feet), so be sure to monitor how you are feeling in flight, and land if anything starts feeling off. Spatial disorientation is also a risk when you are in a non-urban area without ground lighting (farmland, lakes). Be comfortable with your instruments and avionics before you set off, as you won’t really have a horizon to reference. An instrument rating and/or a second pilot with you can make things even safer.

Lastly, have your personal checklist ready for the flight. Don’t fixate inside or outside, remember to get the weather at least 20 miles out, turn on pilot-controlled lighting when 7-10 miles out (and refresh it each downwind because they’ll turn off after 10-15 minutes), note your pattern altitudes, frequencies, etc. Whatever it is that you want to make sure not to forget along the way.

Night flying can be immensely enjoyable and a great way to continue to build your skills as a pilot. Being prepared and knowing what to expect will keep things calm and relaxed so that you can enjoy the ride.