Night solo XC?

"G. Burkhart" wrote in message news:0joad.218088$MQ5.166822@attbi_s52...
A question to the group. Do you normally fly many night solo cross
country flights? I have been going out to the local airport every couple
months to do some night flying, but it's usually solo just around the patch
to get night current so I can carry a passenger at night. The few times that
I have done cross countries at night, I either have a passenger (usually
pilot rated too) or an instructor (during training a few years ago).

I was going to do a short night XC a couple weeks ago and took off, got
about 10 miles out and didn't 'feel' right so I returned to the pattern. It
was probably just me, but it seemed like some strange noises from the plane
that I don't notice during day flight. If I have a passenger, I'm not as
concerned about flying XC at night. All of my night flights have been when
there is close to a full moon so visibility isn't a factor.

-Greg B.
Greg
There is a common phenomena called "autorough" when you get outside
the comfort zone like over the high mountains, way out offshore with a
single engine, night when you can't see anything like between layers,
etc. I had a crash at night many years ago and it took several years
before my hands would not get wet while flying after dark. Now its
pretty ho humm.
I'm surprised you are more comfortable with a pax at night than solo
on a XC! Is it just having someone to keep you occupied? I'm just the
other way...I don't want anyone on board with me if I happen to go
down again. As I've often said, "I'll risk MY life, but not YOURS."
Stay in your own comfort zone and if you get nervous night flying,
keep it close to home. Why go out and stick it in the
woods/desert/mountains, etc, someplace at night? From curiosity, I
checked my logs and have just over 1500 night in a variety of aircraft
including night crop spraying with helicopter.
Ol Shy & Bashful