"Ben Jackson" wrote in message
news:RYfnb.44209$HS4.185004@attbi_s01...
In article . net,
Greg Goodknight wrote:
instrument rating, so he can't get an SVFR clearance anyway.

That restriction applies only between sunset and sunrise.

More like between 30 minutes after sunset and 30 minutes before sunrise,
roughly, the rule of thumb for night ops in the continental US, not to be
confused with the one hour after sundown rule for logging night flight
time.

Err, 'night' in the FAR is defined in 14 CFR Part 1 and it's based on
civil twilight.

The SVFR regulations in 91.157(b)(4) says sunset-sunrise, not "night",
so the other poster was exactly right.

It's 61.57(b) (night currency) that uses the "hour after sunset".

The ICAO definition is when the center the sun is 6 degrees or more below
the horizon

Which is the definition of the end of civil twilight.

6 degrees, at the equator, is 24 minutes, do the math (remember, 360 degrees
in 24 hours) but that's at the equator. When Grass Valley (O17) had a night
closure a few years ago over a trees and obstruction light snafu, I pressed
the issue with the local FSDO; they came back with 30 minutes being the rule
of thumb they use in the 48 states.

-Greg



--
Ben Jackson

http://www.ben.com/