Night rating hints and tips...??
 

Hi there

I have done about three hours of training toward my night qualification (including nav excercise) and all seemed to be going well, but now I've got into the circuit I am finding it really tricky to achieve satisfactory landings, particularly in the round out and flare stages. I jut can't seem to get any appreciation of height above the concrete in the final moments... I am either flaring way too early and floating halfway along the runway, the next time I over compensate, and land extremely hard....

I know you are supposed to try to judge the flare/roundout from the visual aspect of the runway side lights rising up around you. I've been told by instructors not to look directly over the nose, but to one side. But I'm just not getting it. I find it easier with the landing light on, as it lights up the numbers/threshold, but I appear clueless with the landing light off (simulated failure).... or with flapless/glide approaches, as the higher nose attitude doesn't illuminate the runway for me!!

I guess it's just practice I need, but anyone out there give me any pointers to help my confidence...?!

Most student pilots actually find it easier with the landing light off first, so that you don't get tunnel vision. As they say, if you don't like what you see, switch it off ! :}

I had the same problem initially; no matter how much I denied it, I was (subconciously?) peering over the nose. Your desire to 'see the numbers' is holding you back. You will find, I think, that your daylight landings are so blighted but less obviously.

Have your instructor turn off the landing light at short final (reinstating them when securely on the ground!) and conciously look at the far end of the runway. Watch the vanishing point and those perspective lines rise just like they do in the Thom manual.

This will improve your daylight landings as well. It's just a phase, I found...

Having done my Night Rating recently I would advise trying the following.

On the later stages of final approach begin the roundout a little earlier adding a little bit extra power if neccessary, to maintain your threshold crossing speed (approx 65kt depending on Aircraft).

By executing the roundout a (little) earlier and then flaring more slowly and progressively the aim will be to achieve as low a rate of decent as possible whilst close to touching down.

Obtaining accurate Visual cues and achieving good spatial awareness is generally more difficult at night so avoiding high rates of decent on the later part of the approach will much improve your chances of a gentle touchdown instead of harsh bounces or collapsed nosewheels.:)

I wouldn't worry too much. I've just come out of completing my night rating and not one of my landings were perfect! Unfortunately that C152's little landing light isn't that all impressive. A floodlight would of helped.

My instructor simulated an electrical failure on landing so could not see a thing as I came in to flare and it ended up probably being the heaviest and worst landing i've ever done!