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Old 16th December 2008 | 00:16
  #16 (permalink)  
Mark1234
 
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 779
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From: Londonish
Brush up and learn how to use navaids - not just homing, but tracking particular radials, in and out, and fixing with cross bearings. Much more important/useful at night. Dunno about there, but here, at least 1 VOR/NDB is part of the night equipment requirements, AND you have to be endorsed to use them as part of the night rating.

Be aware that the lights/flare picture is very variable - at a wide runway you'll feel like the lights *are* around your ears... at a narrower strip, you'll dig a big hole doing the same.

Check the suction gauge regularly and trust the instruments first, last and in the middle. Illusions do happen, particularly if you're in a black hole.

Beyond the first lesson or two: I aim to plan high, and route via areas that give you better options. Short on airspace here, so I'll typically plan 7000+, and route via airfields (which tend to co-incide with navaids) Gives more thinking time, and a better chance of being able to aim for a runway in the worst case.

Above all, enjoy it.. it's a fantastic feeling.
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