Attention:
- Research a mishap case study:
- Discuss how the initial conditions developed into an incident/accident/mishap
- Relate similar personal experience of the same type of incident/accident/mishap
Motivator:
- Night, as defined by FAR 1.1, means the time between the end of evening civil twilight and the beginning of morning civil twilight, as published in the Air Almanac, converted to local time
- Sunset and sunrise times Sunset and sunrise times may be found at the Naval Observatory Website at https://aa.usno.navy.mil/data/RS_OneYear
- Navigation lights are required sunset to sunrise
- Navigation lights must be on full bright
- Taxi/landing lights should be on any time airborne (see below) and when required on ground but not to the extent that other pilots will be blinded
- Anti-collision/Strobe lights are required from engine start to shut down but again, not to blind as per FAR 91.209
- Allow extra time for preflight and use a white lens flashlight to see fluids
- Taxi on the middle of the taxiway
- Night Preparation require half the speed, twice the caution
- Perform everything with half the speed and twice the caution
- Internal lights/displays must be as dim as possible while still being readable
Overview:
Topic:
Time:
Introduction:
0:05
Night Preparation:
0:15
Review (quiz):
0:05
Case Studies:
0:05
Total Ground Time:
0:30
Required Materials:
- Paper, Pen, Marker, Whiteboard
Instructor Actions:
Student Actions:
- Complete assigned reading (see content above)
- Ask pertinent questions
- Perform self-assessment, including fitness for flight and personal minimums, as appropriate
- Make a go/no-go decision, as appropriate
Private Pilot - Night Preparation Airman Certification Standards:
- To determine that the applicant exhibits satisfactory knowledge, risk management, and skills associated with Night Preparation
- References: FAA-H-8083-2, FAA-H-8083-3, FAA-H-8083-25; AIM; POH/AFM
- Private Pilot - Night Preparation Lesson Plan
Night Preparation Knowledge:
The applicant demonstrates understanding of:-
PA.XI.A.K2:
Lighting systems identifying airports, runways, taxiways and obstructions, as well as pilot controlled lighting -
PA.XI.A.K3:
Airplane equipment and lighting requirements for night operations -
PA.XI.A.K4:
Personal equipment essential for night flight -
PA.XI.A.K6:
Night taxi operations -
PA.XI.A.K7:
Interpretation of traffic position and direction based solely on position lights -
PA.XI.A.K8:
Visual illusions at night
Night Preparation Risk Management:
The applicant is able to identify, assess, and mitigate risk associated with:-
PA.XI.A.R1:
Collision hazards -
PA.XI.A.R2:
Distractions, task prioritization, loss of situational awareness, or disorientation -
PA.XI.A.R3:
Effect of visual illusions and night adaptation during all phases of night flying -
PA.XI.A.R4:
Runway incursion -
PA.XI.A.R5:
Night currency versus proficiency -
PA.XI.A.R6:
Weather considerations specific to night operations -
PA.XI.A.R7:
Inoperative equipment
Night Preparation Skills:
The applicant exhibits the skill to:-
NA:
Not generally evaluated in flight. If the practical test is conducted at night, all ACS Tasks are evaluated in that environment, thus there is no need for explicit Task elements to exist here
Re-Motivation:
- Night will mess with your visual cues, resulting in increased change for spatial disorientation and temptation to maintain eyes down, inside the cockpit
- Instructors may sign off students to fly at night if in accordance with FAR 61.87(o)
- For more information read our section on logging flight time
- Still looking for something? Continue searching:
Closure:
- Advise students that this lesson will be used as a starting point for the next lesson
- Assign study materials for the next lesson