What are the parameters for landing light aircraft in low-light/dusk type conditions at an airfield where runway lighting is not an option ? Does the type of licence rating held have an influence ?
As you may have guessed, I’m not a pilot myself, just curious.
By: malcom - 12th November 2011 at 17:46
Landing without lights in the dark – object lesson in how to draw attention to yourself!
But, you are required to have a landing light when flying at night in a private aircraft, and a torch. You can always turn it off if you dont like what you see in the beam.
By: ozplane - 11th November 2011 at 17:54
Or the farmer with his Land Rover. Now how do I know that?
By: Moggy C - 10th November 2011 at 08:04
Three Frenchmen with torches should be enough
Moggy
By: Mark A - 10th November 2011 at 01:17
Interestingly, neither runway lights nor landing lights are legally required to operate at night in a private aircraft. If you didn’t have either it may be a bit challenging on a dark cloudy night :D.
30 minutes after sunset can vary between pitch dark and reasonably light, so some pilot discretion is advisable. Often dark airfields are a haven for wildlife at night such as deers, badgers, foxes etc to add to the fun.
By: Moggy C - 9th November 2011 at 22:27
There are none.
Without a night qualification added to your PPL you can land (or attempt to) up to thirty minutes after sunset, or after thirty minutes before sunrise – the bit in between is called official night.
Once you add the night qualification there are no restrictions.
Moggy
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November 9, 2011 at 5:44 pm