Sun, Feb 26, 2006
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.
- Exposure to total
darkness for at least 30 minutes is required for complete dark
adaptation (think old movies about British bomber pilots).
- 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.
- 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.
- White cockpit lighting is needed to correctly read maps and
instruments.
Dark adaptation is impaired by:
- Cabin altitudes above 5,000 feet... suggesting supplemental
oxygen use for most night flying.
- Carbon monoxide from smoking and exhaust fumes
- Vitamin A deficiency
- 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.
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