Aero-Tips!

A good pilot is always learning -- how many times have you heard this old standard throughout your flying career? There is no truer statement in all of flying (well, with the possible exception of "there are no old, bold pilots.") It's part of what makes aviation so exciting for all of us... just when you think you've seen it all, along comes a scenario you've never imagined.

Aero-News has called upon the expertise of Thomas P. Turner, master CFI and all-around-good-guy, to bring our readers -- and us -- daily tips to improve our skills as aviators, and as representatives of the flying community. Some of them, you may have heard before... but for each of us, there will also be something we might never have considered before, or something that didn't "stick" the way it should have the first time we memorized it for the practical test.

It is our unabashed goal that "Aero-Tips" will help our readers become better, safer pilots -- as well as introducing our ground-bound readers to the concepts and principles that keep those strange aluminum-and-composite contraptions in the air... and allow them to soar magnificently through it.

Look for our daily Aero-Tips segments, coming each day to you through the Aero-News Network. Suggestions for future Aero-Tips are always welcome, as are additions or discussion of each day's tips. Remember... when it comes to being good pilots, we're all in this together.

Aero-Tips 02.26.06

Our eyes were built to see in daylight. Dark nights present illusions and considerations for pilots. For safest flying we need to let our eyes adapt to the dark.

1. Exposure to total darkness for at least 30 minutes is required for complete dark adaptation (think old movies about British bomber pilots).
2. You can achieve a moderate degree of dark adaptation within 20 minutes under dim red cockpit lighting -- which is why red overhead lights are prevalent in older airplanes, and there’s a thriving market for red-tinted flashlights.
3. Red light severely distorts colors, especially on aeronautical charts, and can cause serious difficulty in focusing on objects inside the aircraft. Use red lights only when optimum outside night vision capability is necessary -- like night VFR close to the ground.
4. White cockpit lighting is needed to correctly read maps and instruments.

Dark adaptation is impaired by:

1. Cabin altitudes above 5,000 feet... suggesting supplemental oxygen use for most night flying.
2. Carbon monoxide from smoking and exhaust fumes
3. Vitamin A deficiency
4. Prolonged exposure to bright sunlight.

Since dark adaptation is lost within a few seconds of viewing a bright light, close one eye when using a white light to preserve some degree of night vision.

Aero-tip of the day: Maximize your vision for night flying by using dark adaptation technique.

FMI: Aero-Tips