Night VFR Soaring (USA)

On Apr 13, 7:21*pm, Eric Greenwell wrote:
I thought the OLC had a restriction on night flying, but I couldn't find
any reference to it. Does OLC place restriction on flying before or
after sunset?

Per the sporting code:
5.3.2 Certificates
a. PILOT CERTIFICATION OF REGULATORY COMPLIANCE The pilot must certify
that the soaring performance was conducted in accordance with the FAI
Sporting Code, was flown in compliance with all the glider
manufacturer's and national operating limitations, and in accordance
with national flight regulations respecting airspace use, night
flight, etc.

And I believe the OLC tries to follow the SC when practical.

And getting back to the original question, which was not about flying
in darkness, but about flying after sunset. In the US, the aircraft
must have anti collision lights to be legal. In the western US, it's
not uncommon for there to still be lift at sunset or even later. With
the proper equipment, one could easily watch the sun set from the top
of a thermal, then spend the next hour or so gliding home.

If it's a typical desert evening with little if no overdevelopment,
one could expect a fairly benign airmass with no surprises, so making
a conservative glide home with a number of large fields or lighted
airports on the way should, for the experienced and well prepared
pilot, be quite safe.

I recall a flight from central Colorado into southwestern Kansas a few
years ago. I was quite a bit ahead of my crew and attempting to reach
Liberal when the day fizzled out. So I started the engine over a nice
field and started motoring toward a more convenient airport. In this
direction there were some nice late clouds and soon I had the engine
stowed as I flew in the late day thermals. I arrived at the airport
and waited in great lift for Karen to arrive with the trailer. As I
enjoyed the evening and setting sun, it dawned on me that the sun is
setting! So out came the spoilers and very quickly I'd wasted the few
thousand feet to get on the ground a minute or two before official
sunset. A half hour or more later it was still light enough to make a
safe landing on an unlighted runway - if only it were legal...

-Tom