Night Circuits
Thread Starter
Night Circuits
Hi All,
Would anyone be able to shed some light on what the requirements are to fly night circuits ? Ie do you need to do some with an instructor first or if you are properly licensed minus a nvfr or CIR can you simply just go and do a few night circuits ?
I don't mean this as a first time flying at night though.
Would anyone be able to shed some light on what the requirements are to fly night circuits ? Ie do you need to do some with an instructor first or if you are properly licensed minus a nvfr or CIR can you simply just go and do a few night circuits ?
I don't mean this as a first time flying at night though.
Is it the sun in QLD?
The worst place to find out about rules and regs is a public forum. The best place is the regulator. Google "night vfr caap". It will tell you what you need to know with references to applicable legislation.
Night circuits are fun but I would suggest you need an instructor ....
The worst place to find out about rules and regs is a public forum. The best place is the regulator. Google "night vfr caap". It will tell you what you need to know with references to applicable legislation.
Night circuits are fun but I would suggest you need an instructor ....
QPG,
Don't do it until you have had proper briefings, done some homework, and had proper instruction.
That way, you will live longer!!
Without it, you are a temporary Australian, an accident looking for somewhere to happen.
There are all sorts of visual traps at night, which simply don't apply to daylight flying ---- and they are all deadly ---- as the record sadly shows.
Tootle pip!!
PS: A couple of references, just as a starting point:
<http://www.faasafety.gov/gslac/alc/libview_normal.aspx?id=6580>
<https://www.faasafety.gov/files/gslac/courses/content/25/185/Night%20Flying%20Tips.pdf>
<http://www.avweb.com/news/airman/190849-1.html>
<https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7nyF9nOYyvE>
<www.flyingway.com/airlecture/night-flying.doc>
These are all US references, and include en-route night flying, but all the visual traps apply, regardless. Lack of ambient lighting, ie: "black holes" are an even greater threat in AU than US. There is a bleeding good reason why we have a Night VFR rating in Australia.
If the links don't work directly, cut and paste them into your browser, or just Google.
Don't do it until you have had proper briefings, done some homework, and had proper instruction.
That way, you will live longer!!
Without it, you are a temporary Australian, an accident looking for somewhere to happen.
There are all sorts of visual traps at night, which simply don't apply to daylight flying ---- and they are all deadly ---- as the record sadly shows.
Tootle pip!!
PS: A couple of references, just as a starting point:
<http://www.faasafety.gov/gslac/alc/libview_normal.aspx?id=6580>
<https://www.faasafety.gov/files/gslac/courses/content/25/185/Night%20Flying%20Tips.pdf>
<http://www.avweb.com/news/airman/190849-1.html>
<https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7nyF9nOYyvE>
<www.flyingway.com/airlecture/night-flying.doc>
These are all US references, and include en-route night flying, but all the visual traps apply, regardless. Lack of ambient lighting, ie: "black holes" are an even greater threat in AU than US. There is a bleeding good reason why we have a Night VFR rating in Australia.
If the links don't work directly, cut and paste them into your browser, or just Google.
Last edited by LeadSled; 22nd May 2012 at 06:48.
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I don't mean this as a first time flying at night though.
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Ie do you need to do some with an instructor first or if you are properly licensed minus a nvfr or CIR can you simply just go and do a few night circuits ?
If you don't have NVFR or a CIR with the appropriate aeronautical experience at night then you are not suitably qualified.
Without either of the above, or to build the 5hrs night command for CIR, you can do dual circuits and then be sent solo at night, thereby completing your circuits under the direct supervision of an approved pilot.
Without either of the above, or to build the 5hrs night command for CIR, you can do dual circuits and then be sent solo at night, thereby completing your circuits under the direct supervision of an approved pilot.
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"Have the regs changed in the last 15 years or so? I thought the answer to such a question would be obvious. Or don't you need a night VFR rating to fly PIC at night these days? "
I was confused by this as well, seems you can have a CPL and or CIR and not have a NVFR these days. There is a young pilot fresh out of a sausage factory flying here, who does not have a NVFR, nor the recent exp requirements to fly at night even with the CIR !
I was confused by this as well, seems you can have a CPL and or CIR and not have a NVFR these days. There is a young pilot fresh out of a sausage factory flying here, who does not have a NVFR, nor the recent exp requirements to fly at night even with the CIR !
Last edited by Lancair70; 23rd May 2012 at 03:43.
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I was confused by this as well, seems you can have a CPL and or CIR and not have a NVFR these days. There is a young pilot fresh out of a sausage factory flying here, who does not have a NVFR, nor the recent exp requirements to fly at night even with the CIR !
When I did my CPL in mid 1985 a Night VMC as it was then known, was a requirement to hold a CPL. Exactly when this was abolished as a requirement I do not know but still think that it was a bad idea.
Why it was dropped is totally beyond me.
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I think the requirements to hold a NVFR prior to CPL issue was around 1991. I obtained the NVFR in early 1991 intending to gain my CPL. By the time I obtained my CPL in late 1991 the NVFR was no longer required.(now only for the Instructor Rating).
