Equipment requirements for night flying?
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jun 2002
Location: New South Wales
Posts: 1,794
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Equipment requirements for night flying?
My Super Cub has landing and taxy lights and nav lights. It does not have a rotating beacon. If I stick an interior instrument light in, can I fly it at night? Put it another way, do you need a rotating beacon to fly at night?
Thanks in advance,
David
Thanks in advance,
David
Why do it if it's not fun?
Join Date: Jul 2001
Location: Bournemouth
Posts: 4,779
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
QDM, hope you get it sorted out!
The Super Cub I used to hire in the UK didn't have any nav lights, so no chance of night flying. The two which I hired in the US were both equiped for night flying, but the school had a policy of no solo night-flying in tail-draggers, and none of the instructors who were current on tail-draggers could drag themselves away from their families to do any night-flying with me. So I've never flown a PA18 at night. It's gotta be fun, though! Night flying is beautiful, and there aren't many types that'll give you a better view than a Cub!
FFF
------------
The Super Cub I used to hire in the UK didn't have any nav lights, so no chance of night flying. The two which I hired in the US were both equiped for night flying, but the school had a policy of no solo night-flying in tail-draggers, and none of the instructors who were current on tail-draggers could drag themselves away from their families to do any night-flying with me. So I've never flown a PA18 at night. It's gotta be fun, though! Night flying is beautiful, and there aren't many types that'll give you a better view than a Cub!
FFF
------------
Join Date: May 1999
Location: UK
Posts: 424
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Full requirements are in schedule 4 of the ANO.
You must provide internal cockpit lighting - and your instrument fit now becomes an in issue...Unless I am mistaken you must have an AI and TI/TC and possibly a DI. Check out the ANO...
Incidently unless I am mistaken this is part of the CofA and therefore having made the appropriate changes you must get the CofA to certify night flight.
If you fly in controlled airspace there is no difference in instruments from that required for daytime flying.
Hope this helps,
FF
You must provide internal cockpit lighting - and your instrument fit now becomes an in issue...Unless I am mistaken you must have an AI and TI/TC and possibly a DI. Check out the ANO...
Incidently unless I am mistaken this is part of the CofA and therefore having made the appropriate changes you must get the CofA to certify night flight.
If you fly in controlled airspace there is no difference in instruments from that required for daytime flying.
Hope this helps,
FF
Join Date: May 1999
Location: UK
Posts: 424
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Hot off the press from the long briefing I give on night flying...
Article 14 of the ANO 2001 states that all aircraft shall carry the equipment detailed in Schedule 4 of the ANO according to the circumstances of the flight. With regard to non-public transport night flying the basic equipment required for fixed wing light aircraft operations in addition to that required for daytime operations is:
Equipment for displaying the lights required by the Rules of the Air.
Electrical equipment, supplied from the main source of supply in the aircraft, to provide sufficient illumination to enable the flight crew to properly carry out their duties at night.
Unless the aircraft is equipped with radio, devices for making the visual signal specified in the rules of the Air as indicating a request for permission to land.
A sensitive pressure altimeter adjustable for any sea level barometric pressure which the weather report of forecasts available to the commander of the aircraft indicate is likely to be encountered during the intended flight.
When flying in outside controlled airspace the following are required:
A turn indicator & a slip indicator, OR, a gyroscopic bank and pitch indicator and a gyroscopic direction indicator.
When flying in controlled airspace there is no change from the equipment required for daytime flying.
Article 14 of the ANO 2001 states that all aircraft shall carry the equipment detailed in Schedule 4 of the ANO according to the circumstances of the flight. With regard to non-public transport night flying the basic equipment required for fixed wing light aircraft operations in addition to that required for daytime operations is:
Equipment for displaying the lights required by the Rules of the Air.
Electrical equipment, supplied from the main source of supply in the aircraft, to provide sufficient illumination to enable the flight crew to properly carry out their duties at night.
Unless the aircraft is equipped with radio, devices for making the visual signal specified in the rules of the Air as indicating a request for permission to land.
A sensitive pressure altimeter adjustable for any sea level barometric pressure which the weather report of forecasts available to the commander of the aircraft indicate is likely to be encountered during the intended flight.
When flying in outside controlled airspace the following are required:
A turn indicator & a slip indicator, OR, a gyroscopic bank and pitch indicator and a gyroscopic direction indicator.
When flying in controlled airspace there is no change from the equipment required for daytime flying.
Join Date: Oct 2001
Location: Dorset, UK
Posts: 619
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Unless the aircraft is equiped with radio, devices for making the visual signal specified in the rules of the Air as indicating a request for permission to land
It would have to be a ****** strong torch for the tower to see it!
What was in common use, in pre radio days?
Guest
Posts: n/a
The Air Navigation Order 2000 is here http://www.legislation.hmso.gov.uk/s...0/20001562.htm but I couldn't find the Rules of the Air in there. I found those in the UKAIM book by AFE.
DG
Rule 11: Flying Machines
(1) A flying machine when flying at night shall display lights as follows:
(a) in the case of a flying machine registered in the UK having a maximum total weight authorised of more that 5700kg or any other flying machine registed in the UK which conforms to a type first ussued with a type certificate on or after 1st April 1988 the system of lights in paragraph (2)(b);
(b) in the case of a flying machine registered in the UK which conforms to a type first issued with a type certificate before 1st April 1988 having a maximum total weight authorised of 5700kg or less, any one of the following systems of lights:
(i) that specified in paragraph (2)(a), or that specified in paragraph (2)(b); or
(ii) that specified in paragraph (2)(d), excluding sub-paragraph (ii);
(c) in the case of any other flying machine one of the systems of lights specified in paragraph (2).
(2) The systems of lights refered to in paragraph (1) are as follows:
(a)
(i) a steady green light of at least 5 candela showing to the starboard side through an angle of 110' from dead ahead in the horizontal plane;
(ii) a steady red light of at least 5 candela showing to the port side through an angle of 110' from dead ahead in the horizontal plane;
(iii) a steady white light of least 3 candela showing through angles 70' from dead astern to each side in the horizontal plane;
(b) (i) the lights specified in sub-paragraph (a); and
(ii) an anti-collision light;
(c) the lights specified in sub-paragraph (a); but all being flashing lights flashing together;
(d) the lights specified in sub-paragraph (a); but all being flashing lights flashing together in alternation with one or both the following:
(i) a flashing white light of at least 20 candela showing in all directions;
(ii) a flashing red light of at least 20 candela showing through angles 70' from dead astern to each side in the horizontal plane.
(3) If the lamp showing either the red or the green light specified in paragraph (2)(a) is fitted more than 2 metres from the wing tip, a lamp may, notwithstanding the provision of rule 9(1), be fitted at the wing tip to indicate its position showing a steady light of the same colour through the same angle.
(1) A flying machine when flying at night shall display lights as follows:
(a) in the case of a flying machine registered in the UK having a maximum total weight authorised of more that 5700kg or any other flying machine registed in the UK which conforms to a type first ussued with a type certificate on or after 1st April 1988 the system of lights in paragraph (2)(b);
(b) in the case of a flying machine registered in the UK which conforms to a type first issued with a type certificate before 1st April 1988 having a maximum total weight authorised of 5700kg or less, any one of the following systems of lights:
(i) that specified in paragraph (2)(a), or that specified in paragraph (2)(b); or
(ii) that specified in paragraph (2)(d), excluding sub-paragraph (ii);
(c) in the case of any other flying machine one of the systems of lights specified in paragraph (2).
(2) The systems of lights refered to in paragraph (1) are as follows:
(a)
(i) a steady green light of at least 5 candela showing to the starboard side through an angle of 110' from dead ahead in the horizontal plane;
(ii) a steady red light of at least 5 candela showing to the port side through an angle of 110' from dead ahead in the horizontal plane;
(iii) a steady white light of least 3 candela showing through angles 70' from dead astern to each side in the horizontal plane;
(b) (i) the lights specified in sub-paragraph (a); and
(ii) an anti-collision light;
(c) the lights specified in sub-paragraph (a); but all being flashing lights flashing together;
(d) the lights specified in sub-paragraph (a); but all being flashing lights flashing together in alternation with one or both the following:
(i) a flashing white light of at least 20 candela showing in all directions;
(ii) a flashing red light of at least 20 candela showing through angles 70' from dead astern to each side in the horizontal plane.
(3) If the lamp showing either the red or the green light specified in paragraph (2)(a) is fitted more than 2 metres from the wing tip, a lamp may, notwithstanding the provision of rule 9(1), be fitted at the wing tip to indicate its position showing a steady light of the same colour through the same angle.
DG
Last edited by Min Sink; 22nd Oct 2002 at 19:22.
Join Date: May 1999
Location: UK
Posts: 424
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Re: Non-radio aircraft...
As I understand it flares were typically used to control non-radio aircraft! Certainly out-dated...haviong only seen a signal flare once after a mix up with ATC between the words 'green light' and 'aldis lamp' which for some bizarre reason they took to mean 'green flare'...ho hum....at least I got to see it!!! (even if it did illuminate about 10 square miles!
As I understand it flares were typically used to control non-radio aircraft! Certainly out-dated...haviong only seen a signal flare once after a mix up with ATC between the words 'green light' and 'aldis lamp' which for some bizarre reason they took to mean 'green flare'...ho hum....at least I got to see it!!! (even if it did illuminate about 10 square miles!
Join Date: Oct 2001
Location: Dorset, UK
Posts: 619
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
FormationFlyer Could you clarify the bit about "non-radio aircraft" please?
I understand what lights/flares that the TOWER has to provide for emergencies & any aircraft that is permenantly (or temporarily)non-radio. (I recall when doing my night rating, these were demonstrated, by the fella in the tower)
BUT, what does a non-radio aircraft have to carry, in order to pass signals to the tower at night?
I understand what lights/flares that the TOWER has to provide for emergencies & any aircraft that is permenantly (or temporarily)non-radio. (I recall when doing my night rating, these were demonstrated, by the fella in the tower)
BUT, what does a non-radio aircraft have to carry, in order to pass signals to the tower at night?
Join Date: May 1999
Location: UK
Posts: 424
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
re: non-radio...
as I said - I believe flares were carried. Looking at the pics in CAP637 the diagrams show the a/c using flares...
But AFAIK there is no CAA definition of equipment which meets that requirement - merely that such equipment MUST be carried.
As I fly a/c which are ALL radio based - and those which I do fly which dont have radio arent allowed to fly at night anyway I have never come across an a/c that actually does need such equipment - perhaps others here can enlighten us?
as I said - I believe flares were carried. Looking at the pics in CAP637 the diagrams show the a/c using flares...
But AFAIK there is no CAA definition of equipment which meets that requirement - merely that such equipment MUST be carried.
As I fly a/c which are ALL radio based - and those which I do fly which dont have radio arent allowed to fly at night anyway I have never come across an a/c that actually does need such equipment - perhaps others here can enlighten us?
Join Date: Nov 2000
Location: St Albans, herts, UK
Posts: 120
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
According to the "Student and private pilot's handbook" by H.H. Edwards, reprinted in 1964, the requirements for night flying are:
1) navigation lights
2) Aldis lamp or signal pistol
3) cockpit lamps for instruments and maps
4) turn and bank indicator
5) artificial horizon
6) direction indicator
This was when a student's pilots licence cost 10 shillings and a medical cost 30 shillings....
1) navigation lights
2) Aldis lamp or signal pistol
3) cockpit lamps for instruments and maps
4) turn and bank indicator
5) artificial horizon
6) direction indicator
This was when a student's pilots licence cost 10 shillings and a medical cost 30 shillings....
Join Date: Oct 2001
Location: Dorset, UK
Posts: 619
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Thanks to FormationFlyer & Don D Cake for that info.
I am just sitting here imagining what it would be like setting off a "pistol" or "flare" in a light aircraft, in order to signal the tower
Does one aim it AT the tower, or straight up?
I am just sitting here imagining what it would be like setting off a "pistol" or "flare" in a light aircraft, in order to signal the tower
Does one aim it AT the tower, or straight up?
