Night Flight ..

Post by **Spike** » Wed Apr 20, 2005 11:57 am

Last night I went up for about an hour or so after sunset. It got me to thinking about evening/night flying and how much I really enjoy it. I was curious as to how many of you guys like flying in the twilight/night time frame? Around here it can get pretty darn hazy, but other than that, it gets glass smooth and beautiful. I have to say that flying in the evening is my absolute favorite time to fly.

-- John

tshort · Post by **tshort** » Wed Apr 20, 2005 12:20 pm

Same for me. I love flying in the 30-45 minutes right before and after sunset. Like you said, it is so much smoother and calmer. I thought about that the other day while flying around midday getting tossed around by all the thermals, etc.

There is something cool about coming down final with the plane perfectly trimmed when it almost feels like you are on rails and sliding toward the runway.

I guess the AM is similar, but as a function of my job I'm really not a morning person so don't get to experience sunrise flying as much.

Thomas

Post by **Spike** » Wed Apr 20, 2005 12:23 pm

Yeah. That approach is so much cooler too when its dark out and you are just descending to the lights on the runway. Especially if the strobes are on. Its like they are reaching out and pulling the airplane out to them.

-- John

Same for me. I love flying in the 30-45 minutes right before and after sunset. Like you said, it is so much smoother and calmer. I thought about that the other day while flying around midday getting tossed around by all the thermals, etc.

There is something cool about coming down final with the plane perfectly trimmed when it almost feels like you are on rails and sliding toward the runway.

I guess the AM is similar, but as a function of my job I'm really not a morning person so don't get to experience sunrise flying as much.

Submitted via email

captain_john · Post by **captain_john** » Wed Apr 20, 2005 4:16 pm

I must agree! Twilight and evenings are GREAT! Airspace is always less populated and freq's are quiet!

I also like daybreak!

One of my most memorable flights was leaving Martha's Vineyard at dusk while watching the sun set of my left wing. Wind was sooooo calm and it felt like I was barely moving!

CJ

jim_geo · Post by **jim_geo** » Wed Apr 20, 2005 9:49 pm

I left work around mid night last night and it was clear and calm. I almost went for it but just was a little to tired to go to the airport. I do love looking at the twinkling below though.

l & d lewis · Post by **l & d lewis** » Thu Apr 21, 2005 12:05 pm

Night flying was one of my favorite things flying in the lower 48, but here in south central Alaska it was still light at 2230 last night. Won't see dark now before midnight until September. If you learn to fly here in the summer you are night restricted until you get a signoff in the winter.....Larry

captain_john · Post by **captain_john** » Thu Apr 21, 2005 4:52 pm

l & d lewis wrote:If you learn to fly here in the summer you are night restricted until you get a signoff in the winter.....Larry

Hmmmm, kinda funny...

Ya think they would call it Day Restricted, since they restrict you to daytime ops only.

Kinda like the phrase NEAR MISS... isn't it really a NEAR HIT?

Hahaha CJ