Viewing page 171 of 206

This transcription has been completed. Contact us with corrections.

168 U.S. CIVIL AERONAUTICS AUTHORITY
This, like the preceding section on cross-country flying is not meant to be a detailed discussion of the problems encountered in night flying or in instructing students therein. It is only a discussion of a few major items which should be covered by the instructor and thoroughly understood by the student before he is allowed to solo at night. 
A pilot flying at night must possess a more complete realization of his abilities and limitations and observe more caution than during day operations. The horizon, the ground, and all physical aids for day flying are indistinct and obscure. The choice of fields in an emergency is strictly limited, and unless flared are used, the suitability of any field selected is more or less a matter of luck. Even with the use of flares, the choice of fields is very limited and the illumination is of a sufficiently different character to cause errors in judgment of surfaces and terrain by an inexperienced pilot. 
Before attempting any flights, the pilot or student should be thoroughly familiar with the lighting system of the aircraft and its emergency equipment. The instructor should see that the student is thoroughly instructed on the use of these items before any flight instruction is given. A flash light should be carried within easy reach for use in case of failure of any of the instrument or cockpit lights. The students should be instructed to use the instrument lights in such a manner that they cause no glare in the cockpit, which frequently interferes seriously with outside vision. This is particularly true of cabin aircraft where reflections are made by windshields and windows.
Position lights are very important and should be tested for proper functioning. Since all lighting equipment depends upon a battery, this installation should be thoroughly checked and the battery fully charged. 
Before the take-off and during the dual period the student should be instructed in the use of all aids to night navigation such as beacons, lighted wind socks, lighted wind tees, obstruction lights, boundary lights, and flood lights. 
Most students, when taking off, either consciously or subconsciously align the airplane with some distant object. At night this may be difficult or impossible and other means will have to be found to judge the straightness of the take-off path. The instructor should keep this in mind and inform the student regarding the procedures appropriate to the field and the circumstances. 
When flood lights are used and the take off must be made toward the light, the student must be cautioned against looking into it or temporary blindness will result. In any case, where flood lights are used there is an instant of two of temporary blindness when the airplane leaves the light beam. It is therefore very important that all obstructions be cleared or sufficient altitude obtained to clear the all before this occurs.
In taking off from unlighted fields the take-off path with the fewest obstructions should be chosen and the greatest effective length of the field used in order to gain sufficient altitude to clear any possible unseen obstructions. 
Distances at night are deceptive due to the lack of illumination and the inability of the pilot to judge them by the usual method of