Chapter 13: Introduction to Night Contact

CHAPTER THIRTEEN

INTRODUCTION TO NIGHT CONTACT

1300. INTRODUCTION

You are now ready to enter one of the most interesting stages of your flight training - NIGHT

CONTACT. There is no reason for you to approach it with any more apprehension than you did

the transition from day to night driving in an automobile. In fact, you will find much in common

between the two experiences. Just as you did not try to drive at night until you had perfected

your skill in handling an automobile in the daylight, you now come to night flying with an

improved feel of the airplane and the ability to make your airplane do precisely what you want it

to do. You will further these same qualities under the conditions of restricted vision present at

night.

Your first night flight is not intended to teach you all there is to know about night flying, but to

familiarize you with the fundamentals. You will come to realize that there are differences in

night flying, but that a careful study of these differences will make flying at night fully as safe as

in the daytime.

Good night flying, like good night driving, requires increased care. You will have to identify

obstructions and other aircraft, not by entire outline, but by such small identifying features as a

few colored lights. This is not difficult if you leave the ground well prepared for the conditions

you will meet, and if you remain constantly alert. Once you are in the air, clear of all ground

obstructions, the only possible obstruction remaining will be other aircraft. Obviously it is

essential that you know the location of other aircraft.

1301. NIGHT FLYING PHYSIOLOGY

1. Night Vision. You will remember from lectures on flight physiology that the eye uses

different parts for night vision than for day vision. Because of the difference in function of the

rods and cones, technique must be changed in order to spot objects at night: Do not stare at a

spot, but scan the vicinity of the sky in which you believe the object to be located.

The eyes must be adapted for night vision; the pupils must dilate and the rods must be brought

into full use. It takes approximately 30 minutes for the eyes to become completely adapted, and

only 10 seconds for all adaptation to be lost in bright light. Adaptation may be accomplished by

total darkness or by gradually approaching darkness such as normal daylight to sunset to night.

Vertigo. Vertigo, in aviation, is a feeling of dizziness and disorientation caused by doubt

in visual interpretation of your attitude. This feeling is often experienced at night from lack of a

well-defined horizon. The period immediately after takeoff, leaving a well lighted runway and

entering complete darkness, brings on this feeling of disorientation. Trust and use your attitude

Moving and Stationary Lights. Often you will not be able to see anything of the aircraft

ahead except its tail light or strobe lights. In such cases, it will be difficult to judge distance,

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