Very interesting thread - good reading.
I finished my Night Qual about a month ago after two attempts at the Solo XC.
The first was fine until I cleared to taxi, applied power, moved about two yards and was plunged into darkness up front as the landing/taxi light blew - doh! Onto the concrete, around in a circle and back onto the grass to parking, which earned the ATC comment "Well, that's the first bit of the cross country out of the way".
As for torches, I also use a head strap from an outdoor pursuits centre but I also carry a small hand torch with white light and sliding red and green filters - endless permutations, well, white, green, red and zilch, at least - and it only cost 99p off the web.
Good luck to anyone doing this, it's well worth it - I just love looking down at the towns and roads at night.
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