Lesson 17: Introduction to Night Flight

Dual—ground: 1.0, flight: 1.0

Objective: Introduce the student to the basics of and preparations for flying at night.

Discussion topics:

1. Preparation techniques for night flying
2. Visual illusions
3. Night scanning techniques and collision avoidance
4. Night flying regulations
5. Airport lighting

Introduce (night flight):

1. Normal and crosswind takeoff and climb
2. Power-off stalls and recovery
3. Power-on stalls and recovery
4. Steep turns
5. Maneuvering during slow flight
6. VFR navigation
7. Normal and crosswind approach and landing
8. Emergency procedures

Completion standards:

1. Complete five takeoffs and landings at night under varying conditions (landing light off, runway lights off)
2. Demonstration of ability to return to airport using all available resources
3. Altitude within 150 feet, airspeed within 10 knots, heading within 10 degrees

Suggested student homework assignments:

1. Read the January 2001 AOPA Pilot article Into the Heart of Darkness.
2. Familiarization with the night flying requirements for private pilots in the Federal Aviation Regulations.