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Old March 29th 04, 08:38 PM
Orval Fairbairn
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In article ,
"Rich S." wrote:

"Dillon Pyron" wrote in message
...
I'm looking at this from a newbie's point of view.

Why build day VFR? Not so much of a question of why not IFR, I can
understand that. But why day only? Is it just that much simpler to
build? In many areas (I learned to fly in the LA basin, Torrance)
lights are almost a neccesity.

Just looking for the logic, not being critical of the decision.


Dillon..........

In many urban areas of the U.S. it is possible to fly night VFR almost as
safely in the daytime. If you maintain adequate altitude, you can safely
glide to a well-lit airstrip.

But in 90%+ of the U.S. (the most well-lit country on the planet) if you
have an engine failure at night, you will probably die. The side of a barn
looks the same as a sod farm at night. Many pilots treat nighttime as solid
IFR and will not fly without multi-engine.

That being said, if adding night capability to your homebuilt is what you
want - do it. Just consider that you will be carrying around that extra
weight forever.

Gravity. It's all about gravity! (and mass, too)

Rich S.



It really isn't that much extra weight -- less than a gallon of fuel to
have full night capability. I find the added night capability to br
extermely useful.