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).

"Normally"? Dunno about that...unfortunately, I have been not night current
more often than I have been current the last year or so.

But that said, when I *am* current, yes, most of my night flying is on
cross-countries. Usually not terribly long ones...often less than an hour
of flying, almost always less than two hours. But I've had my share of
300-400 mile night XC as well.

When I practice my night flying, I make it a point to land at airports other
than my home airport. After all, the big challenges during a night flight
have to do with the "instrument flight rules"-like nature of night flying,
which means getting away from a familiar location so that a) you practice
dealing with unfamiliar landmarks and lighting affecting your perception of
aircraft attitude, and b) you practice navigation in a way that really tests
your ability to use the instruments in the airplane effectively.

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.

As Tony alludes to, it does always seem like the airplane hints at problems
when it would be least convenient to have a problem. I think it's
important to keep in mind a couple of things:
-- conservative decision making is usually the best course of action, so
if you don't have confidence in the airplane, aborting the flight is fine
-- anxiety is generally not a great thing to have along with you in the
cockpit; repeatedly aborting flights when the airplane has been shown to be
reliable after an aborted flight may be a sign that one is being too
cautious, and should seek a way to become more comfortable with the
situation (night flying in this case). A good instructor may be helpful,
fly with him at night so he can reassure you that the things you hear going
"bump" in the night aren't anything to worry about.

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.

If you DO have a passenger, you're not as concerned? That's the exact
opposite from the way many pilots feel. If you wrote what you meant to
write, could you elaborate on the thinking process behind that?

Personally, I try my best to treat every flight the same, with or without
passengers. But if there is a difference, I am slightly more lax with my
own safety than with others'.

Also, you may find it educational to make some night flights in more
challenging conditions. Overcast skies, lower visibility, little or no
moon, that sort of thing. Again, taking an instructor along if this isn't
something you're already reasonably comfortable with is a good idea.

Pete