Night cross-country navigation technique
Night cross-country: same plan as day; map reading and fix-taking change.
Heading and time:
- Hold compass headings accurately.
- Correct only when a fix from checkpoints or radio aids is absolutely certain.
- Keep time accurately, stressed with heading discipline: fixes harder to confirm at night.
Map reading (depends on weather and moonlight):
- Ground features show up better viewed against the moon.
- Identifiable lighted landmarks, large lakes, rivers: easier to see at night than by day.
Fix sources:
| Source | Use for fix | Hazard |
|---|---|---|
| Aerodrome beacons | Very useful | Guard against large errors judging distance to or from |
| Small ground lights | Avoid depending on | Scattered lights of a small community can look like a much larger town |
Always know your out: at all times, know approximate bearing and distance to a prominent feature to divert to if flight cannot continue.
Trap: correcting heading off an uncertain night sighting; small-town lights and misjudged beacon distance both feed false fixes.
References
- TP 1102 (Aeroplane Flight Training Manual), Night Flying, Cross-Country Flying by Night