NIGHT CIRCUITS

Night Circuits

Aim

• To introduce the correct technique and procedures for conducting night circuits in the C172

Objectives

Correctly from memory:

• Recall the night VFR aircraft and aerodrome lighting requirements

• Recall the YBCG night operational requirements

• State the correct technique for conducting a night VFR circuit

• Recall the factors that can affect our night vision

Revision

• Recall the physiological factors that affect us as pilots during instrument flight

• Recall the techniques that we can use to minimise these illusions during flight

• Recall go around procedure.

What is a night circuit?

• Normal circuit

• Conducted at a suitable airfield

• Between the end and beginning of day light

Maximising night vision

• Avoid strong glare during the day, especially sand or snow

• Avoid white light, especially fluoro lights

• Reduce cockpit lighting to maximise night vision

• Do not look straight ahead into an oncoming light source

Remember Night vision can take up to 30 minutes to return to maximum

efficiency

Factors Affecting Night Vision

Anything that reduces the amount of oxygen available in the bloodstream will also reduce night vision

• Smoking• Alcohol• Head cold• Altitude• Fatigue• Medication

Lighting Requirements

• Aircraft internal lighting

• Aircraft external lighting

• Aerodrome lighting

• Additional lighting

Lighting Requirements

LIGHT INTENSITY CONTROL

PASSENGER COMPARTMENT

LIGHTING

PILOT COMPARTMENT LIGHT \ MAP LIGHT

INSTRUMENT ILLUMINATION

EMERGENCY LIGHTING

TORCH

Port

StarboardStrobes White

light

RedRotating light

Taxi / Landing light

110°

110°

140°Lighting Requirements

Green to red is unsafe

Red to green is unsafe

Green to green may be safe

Red to red may be safe

Solid white may be safe

AERODROME LIGHTINGRunway end

lighting (departure)

Runway edge lighting

Windsock lighting

Runway end lighting

(approach)

Obstacle lighting

Runway threshold identification lights

T-VASIST-VASIS

Aerodrome Lighting

Holding point lightsTaxi-way centreline lighting

Taxi-way edge lighting

Apron lighting

Lighting Information

• ERSA FAC

• Specific aerodrome lighting

AERODROME AND APPROACH LIGHTINGRWY 14/32 MIRL PAL+AFRU 118.7 SDBY PWR AVBLRWY 14/32 RTILRWY 14/32 T-VASIS PAL+AFRU 118.7 3.0 DEG 39FT SDBY PWR AVBLPAL lighting timing is critical. Recommended three one-second pulses to activate.OTHER LIGHTINGABN ALTN 8 WG

Aircraft Performance

• Colder air temperature• Denser atmosphere

• Engine Performance increased• Aerodynamic Performance increased

Application

Ground Operations

• Pre-flight – During the day– Serviceability of all lights internal and external

• Taxiing– The speed can be difficult to judge– Use area illuminated by nav lights on wingtips to assess

taxi speed…..Be very careful– Taxi at slow walking speed

• Turn off taxi light for oncoming taxi traffic

Beginning the Night Circuit

• Taxi light remains on until the take-off clearance has been given then the landing light is switched on

• Enter the runway as normal and align the nose wheel with the runway centreline

• Focus on the end of the runway

FOCUS

Rotate

• At 55kts increase the back pressure.– Be very smooth with the amount of back pressure used

• Once the nose wheel has rotated, pitch the nose to 8° - 10° on the AI and hold

• Confirm a positive rate of climb on two instruments

• After takeoff go completely onto your instruments

POSITIVE RATE OF CLIMB

Upwind

• Maintain wings level on the instruments until 500ft AGL

• Visually check for traffic on crosswind before the turn

• Once the turn has been cleared– Conduct a rate 1 turn on instruments. – Trust your instruments

• All turns roll out on specific headings so think ahead– Crosswind 90° to runway heading by looking at DI

Crosswind

• Once the turn has been completed, roll wings level on the AI and continue the climb

• Visually confirm the circuit spacing and adjust accordingly (slowly)

• Return your focus to the instruments and continue to climb on crosswind

14UPWIND

CROSSWIND

VISUAL / INSTRUMENT COMBINATIONSTRICTLY INSTRUMENTS

Downwind

• Normal circuit dimensions and procedures

• Heading Height Spacing Speed

• Before landing checks:– Instruments now include

• DI aligned to compass• Suction (gyroscopic instruments), amps/volts

(electrically driven flight instruments)

14

UPWIND

CROSSWIND

DOWNWIND

VISUAL / INSTRUMENT COMBINATIONSTRICTLY INSTRUMENTS

Base Turn

• Visually clear the path prior to turning

• Normal circuit dimensions and procedures– I.E. Flap and speed as required

• Conduct a rate 1 turn onto base

14

BASE

UPWIND

CROSSWIND

DOWNWIND

VISUAL / INSTRUMENT COMBINATIONSTRICTLY INSTRUMENTS

Turning Final

• Normal circuit dimensions and procedures– I.E. Flap and speed as required

• Conduct a rate 1 turn and use a mixture of instruments and visual

• Maintain a visual with runway lights from this point onwards

• Adjust descent profile as required and maintain runway centreline

14

BASE

FINAL UPWIND

CROSSWIND

DOWNWIND

VISUAL / INSTRUMENT COMBINATIONSTRICTLY INSTRUMENTS

Final

• Aiming point (T-VASIS)

• Adjust descent profile as required and maintain runway centreline

• Same technique as visual approach at day

• Use runway perspective to assess profile

Australian Wings Academy Version 2 amd 0

Normal Approach

Australian Wings Academy Version 2 amd 0

High Approach

Australian Wings Academy Version 2 amd 0

Low Approach

Landing Technique

• Continue the approach until the runway edge lights spread around the engine cowling and begin to appear as one solid line

• Smoothly reduce power to idle

• Do not fixate on the area illuminated by the landing light

• Transition to straight and level and select an aiming point on the upwind end of the runway

• Smoothly continue to raise the nose until the engine cowling is placed on the end runway lights

The Landing Roll

• Once the aircraft is on the ground:– Apply brakes as required to slow the aircraft to a walking

pace– Maintaining the runway centreline with rudder as required

• If for a touch and go:– Identify the flap selector and move to the take-off position– Say to yourself ‘flaps identified and up’– Re-trim for take-off– Smoothly apply full power and repeat

Emergency Situations at Night

• Electrical problems– High demand on electrical system

• Reduce electrical load– Ensure torch is ready– Failure of the electrical system will not effect the

operation of the engine• Electrically driven flight instruments and flaps

will fail to work

Emergency Situations at Night

• Engine failure at night– Greater difficulty selecting a suitable forced landing area

• Although a full moon may give adequate illumination – Use of local knowledge– Worst case scenario

• Trim for best glide speed descend into wind and minimise the touchdown speed

• Landing light on

• Radio Failure – Same procedure as day operations. – Use mobile phone if radio is un-serviceable

Emergency Situations at Night