ayavner Posted July 30, 2015 Share Posted July 30, 2015 Sounds like fun, its an introductory session to learn about Night VFR. Looking forward to it. Anyone done theirs? 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ben87r Posted July 30, 2015 Share Posted July 30, 2015 Night flying is a big, and sometimes scary (depending on how much equipment the aircraft has) step up from day flying. On a dark night I fail to see the deference between IMC if you are in sparsely populated country. It is also one of the most fun and rewarding flying I've done on a good night. Full moon nights and a day either side are magnificent to say the least. Good on you for trying it out! It's good training even if you chose not to continue with it as, you will have a better idea of just what awaits should you "push" last light and come 2nd. 1 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ferris Posted July 30, 2015 Share Posted July 30, 2015 Yep, I've got to agree with Ben. Night flying around the cities is little different to day VFR. Turning base on a black night with no horizon and not a spec of light anywhere is a whole different ball game. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
coljones Posted July 30, 2015 Share Posted July 30, 2015 Sounds like fun, its an introductory session to learn about Night VFR. Looking forward to it. Anyone done theirs? Where are you doing this. Sounds like a great idea. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ayavner Posted July 30, 2015 Author Share Posted July 30, 2015 Where are you doing this. Sounds like a great idea. Hey Col, its at Schoies', they're having one of their night circuits sessions; think they do it about once a month? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
coljones Posted July 30, 2015 Share Posted July 30, 2015 Ah, found it http://www.sfcaero.com.au/cmsfiles/150731%20Night%20Circuits.pdf 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ayavner Posted July 30, 2015 Author Share Posted July 30, 2015 haha oh yes, that. I was just there the other day so someone mentioned it and i signed up - didn't see that hehe :) i think there are some spots left on the 530 session Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PA. Posted July 31, 2015 Share Posted July 31, 2015 It's a Blue Moon tonight. Took this picture last night with our new camera. I found it has a Moon mode to go with the 2000mm lens. 4 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ayavner Posted July 31, 2015 Author Share Posted July 31, 2015 Wow... i wish i had a good camera. Stunning, PA. Used a tripod, I assume? i'd never be able to get a zoom shot that clear! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PA. Posted July 31, 2015 Share Posted July 31, 2015 Wow... i wish i had a good camera. Stunning, PA. Used a tripod, I assume? i'd never be able to get a zoom shot that clear! Yes I used a Tripod. The camera is a Nikon P900. If has GPS and WiFi too. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
naremman Posted July 31, 2015 Share Posted July 31, 2015 Night flying is a big, and sometimes scary (depending on how much equipment the aircraft has) step up from day flying. On a dark night I fail to see the deference between IMC if you are in sparsely populated country.It is also one of the most fun and rewarding flying I've done on a good night. Full moon nights and a day either side are magnificent to say the least. Good on you for trying it out! It's good training even if you chose not to continue with it as, you will have a better idea of just what awaits should you "push" last light and come 2nd. Spot on comments. Some of my most memorable flights have been at night. Night flying also carries risks and exposure to potential risks that any night flying pilot needs to be made aware of right from the start, and as training progresses competence and confidence needs to be acquired before you are let loose on your own. Sadly, the ATSB files contain too many examples of adverse outcomes. An investment in the highest level of instruction possible should be an absolute priority. Most of my training and flying occurred in the WA Wheatbelt, so take offs were invariably into a" black hole", and on a moonless night it was just black, black ......... I have always had reservations of night ratings being acquired where there is extensive ground lighting. I recall the comment of my Instructor when I started my night training, for what was then a Class 4 Instrument Rating, rather than a NVFR: "A Class 4 Instrument Rating is not an Instrument Rating, but in order to achieve it you have to display a high level of proficiency of flying on instruments". The skills and knowledge I have developed through night flying have served my overall flying experiences in a very beneficial manner. Have fun flying after the sun has gone down! 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guernsey Posted July 31, 2015 Share Posted July 31, 2015 I do all of my flying now at night without a license or a certificate. Alan Marriette the Dreamer.. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ayavner Posted July 31, 2015 Author Share Posted July 31, 2015 Wow, what can I say... it was magical. Air was so cool and smooth, wind was variable/3kts. I was surprised, in the sea of lights that is Bankstown that the airport was far from the most obvious thing around.. in fact, on downwind it was very difficult to find the row of lights side-on against all the others. however, the rest of the circuits were a snap, especially turning base to final, and the landings were surprisingly better than I'd expected. Of course it is just an intro, and i'm well aware that I don't even know what I don't know (and I'm not even sure about that!), but I definitely plan to pursue it!! Can you spot the runway? Hint, I'm on early downwind, right-hand circuit. 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Geoff13 Posted July 31, 2015 Share Posted July 31, 2015 I find it easier to just use google and steal everyone elses photos. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ayavner Posted July 31, 2015 Author Share Posted July 31, 2015 I find it easier to just use google and steal everyone elses photos. i'll PAY you to steal mine!! (damn I wish I had that Nikon tonight... oh, and that I knew how to use it!) 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ben87r Posted July 31, 2015 Share Posted July 31, 2015 Good on ya mate!! Well done, now if you find yourself up the Kimberley way, drop me a line and I'll show you what it looks like without all those pesky lights 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ultralights Posted July 31, 2015 Share Posted July 31, 2015 haha yep, next time ask them to take you to Goulburn for some night circuits! or out to Cowra. no lights out there! if you do go to do your NVFR, see if the instructors will take you out west, on a moonless night.. how did you go with the 2 whites and 2 reds? 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ayavner Posted July 31, 2015 Author Share Posted July 31, 2015 Haha one step at a time guys!! LOL :-) yeah did OK with the PAPI, think i was a hair high the first couple. Actually, the very first circuit, tower called a go around on me. It was surprisingly busy still. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ayavner Posted July 31, 2015 Author Share Posted July 31, 2015 Good on ya mate!! Well done, now if you find yourself up the Kimberley way, drop me a line and I'll show you what it looks like without all those pesky lights I would LOVE that~! 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ferris Posted July 31, 2015 Share Posted July 31, 2015 Night flying is magical, and I would have to say that flying into Melbourne at night was worth doing the whole course for, if nothing else. I try to start or finish as many flights as possible at night, because the experience is so different to day time flight. But, and it is a big but, I also have to fly at night regularly to remain current. Night flying carries a far higher risk, with a lot more potential for things to go wrong - both with the pilot and the aircraft. Ayavner's photo of Bankstown demonstrates how clearly defined the horizon is there. Even under the hood you get enough of a perception of what's around you, to not be fully without an horizon. When the view out of every window is the same as the TV turned off, it's a very different picture and feeling, and yes I've had the heart racing a couple of times as I turned onto base. I demanded my instructor take me out on the blackest of nights as often as possible. On top of this, he insisted that I fly and land without landing or instrument lights for about 70% of the course. By comparison, flying over the cities is a cinch. As a side issue, put your hand up if you've suffered the leans at night? I'll start. I have. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
frank marriott Posted July 31, 2015 Share Posted July 31, 2015 What is interesting for the first time, in a lit city area, is the different site picture you get when you arrive above 2 or 3 octas particularly if you know what the area 'should' look like. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ayavner Posted July 31, 2015 Author Share Posted July 31, 2015 What I'd really like to do is Harbour Scenic One at night. Damn I wish I had started this sooner :( Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
planesmaker Posted July 31, 2015 Share Posted July 31, 2015 I remember doing night circuits at a country airport, when on one circuit as we turned base the runway disappeared as fog rolled in quite quickly, had to use opposite runway to land ASAP One dark night in western nsw horizon could not be seen and lights on ground were no different than the stars. Definitely an instrument flight. 1 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ultralights Posted July 31, 2015 Share Posted July 31, 2015 What I'd really like to do is Harbour Scenic One at night. Damn I wish I had started this sooner :( yes, that ise awesome, and if you leave late enough, YSSY will be closed, and you can fly over pretty much anywhere in the city. not only that, Australia day and New Years ever are fantastic from the harbour scenic at night. but for that, you need to plan and get a flight plan in early, and make sure you are NVFR, the Ifr guys have to be stacked off the coast. 1 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guernsey Posted August 1, 2015 Share Posted August 1, 2015 Don't like that runway with the big hump in the middle Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Create an account or sign in to comment
You need to be a member in order to leave a comment
Create an account
Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!
Register a new accountSign in
Already have an account? Sign in here.
Sign In Now