You can only record the night flight time after the end of civil twilight until shortly before the start of civil twilight. But if you really want to know the definition of sunrise and sunset, here it is: “Sunrise or sunset is defined to occur when the geometric distance to the zenith of the solar center is 90.8333 degrees.” That being said, we recommend sticking to your EPPO. (4) The student pilot may record his or her time only if the student pilot – False – You may record the night period at any time if you are flying during the period that you have already defined as “night”. The expression “one hour before and after” applies strictly to the maintenance of currency for the carriage of passengers. The regulations are not as confusing as they seem; “Night” is clearly defined in the first chapter of CFR14. You`d think you might start recording at night when the sun officially sets, but not like this. If you have nightly currency requirements, it`s probably because your company`s operational specifications or operations manual have added that requirement. There`s a saying that “confidence comes after,” so the only way to build confidence in your night flying skills is to go out and fly. (3) For the purpose of recording instrument time, in order to meet the current equipment experience requirements in accordance with paragraph 61.57(c) of this Part, the following information shall be recorded in the person`s logbook: The final reason for recording night flight time is perhaps the most compelling and universal for all pilots. Even if you don`t intend to fly at night, we all know that plans and circumstances can change, often due to factors beyond our control. If you`re able to fly a night flight, imagine how much better you`ll feel after spending hours preparing, exercising, and practicing. (d) Recording of solo flight time.

With the exception of a student pilot who performs the duties of a pilot who takes command of an airship requiring more than one pilot member, a pilot may record this solo flight time only if he or she is the sole occupant of the aircraft. But what about sunset and sunrise? That doesn`t count? Keep in mind that the simplest mistake in recording a night flight is to overlook the difference between sunset and civil twilight. If you operate flights at this time of day, make sure you check them in correctly. Since civil evening twilight occurs earlier than 1 hour after sunset, your first evening takeoff and landing can be considered a night flight for the purpose of recording the time, but not for the speed of transporting passengers. Question about recording night flights and landings, because different FCIs tell me different things. Not sure when to record night and night landings to get change? If you want to bother knowing exactly when civil twilight begins, simply add and subtract 30 minutes from sunset and sunrise to record night flight time. Another type of flight time that is often recorded incorrectly (or not at all) is ground time. To properly capture the long term, you need to understand the definition of long-term. This definition depends on how you want to use the logged time and the type of certificate for which you may need to use this time.

When exactly is sunset and sunrise? ForeFlight has one of the easiest ways to search for it. Just tap on your home airport, and sunrise and sunset for the day will be listed directly under the airport name. I know you probably won`t believe me, but Part 121 airline pilots do not have nighttime change requirements. I am finishing my PPL training. There are several definitions of night for different purposes. If I record a “night” flight training time, which one should I use? In my opinion, you should use the FAR 1.1 definition at night if you meet the requirements of FAR 61.109(a)(2) for your PPL. If you need electricity at night to carry passengers, follow the definition of night described in FAR 61.57(b), the “period that begins one hour after sunset and ends one hour before sunrise.” Remember that to get night power, you need to take off three times and landings in an aircraft of the same category, class and type. For more information on night operations, visit the AOPA Air Safety Foundation`s Safety Hot Spot: Flying Night VFR website. (2) Training time shall be recorded in a logbook and shall: So if you need overnight power at KBJC tonight, you can take off those takeoffs and landings at 8:09 p.m. First things first: What do the FAA rules say about night flights? There are 3 night flight regulations that all pilots should be aware of.

The first concerns the need for navigation lights, the second concerns speed requirements and the third defines the flights that can be recorded and counted for the official time of night flights. What happens if you decide to take a friend with you after your inspection campaign? As long as you are evaluated on the plane and you are the only controller manipulator, you can record the PIC time. However, if your friend is also a pilot and wants to take turns flying, you can only record PIC time if you are the flying pilot, even if you act as a PIC for the duration of the flight. While your friend is flying, you are not allowed to record flight time. According to 14 CFR 1.1, “night means the time between the end of evening civil twilight and the beginning of morning civil twilight, as published in Air Almanac, converted to local time.” This is the period during which you can connect at night. Civil twilight ends about half an hour after sunset; Technically, civil twilight occurs when the geometric center of the sun is 6° below the horizon. (Yes, there is an Android and iPhone app for this.) So if you take off at sunset, the first part of your flight cannot be checked in like the night before civil twilight. (1) A person may record the time spent on night vision goggles only for the time when the person uses and uses night vision goggles as the primary visual reference of the surface: keep your correct logbook noting that the rule applies 1 hour after sunset to 1 hour before sunrise for the carriage of passengers, But the rule for the hours: which can be recorded as night flights, is determined differently.

Night: “The time between the end of evening civil twilight and the beginning of morning civil twilight, as published in the American Air Almanac, converted to local time.” That`s the FAA`s definition in FAR 1.1, but it`s just one of the many ways night is described in the Federal Aviation Regulations. You will need a total of three hours of night (civil twilight) flight, but all 10 takeoffs and landings must take place one hour after sunset to qualify for the practical exam. Then use FAR 61.57(b)(1) if you meet the requirements for passenger transportation (1 hour after sunset to 1 hour before sunrise, as published in Air Almanac). Pro tip: The definition of “night” varies from regulation to regulation, and this is what confuses new night pilots at first. Pay attention to the definition of night used for each of the 3 regulations. Remember how you can only record at night from the end of civil twilight until just before the start of civil twilight? Well, this does not apply to night landing currency and passenger transportation. 2. Where a commercial pilot of the aircraft is classified as pilot-in-command of the aircraft, he or she may record all flight time while acting as pilot-in-command of an operation for which a commercial pilot certificate is required. 3. A certified flight instructor may, when acting as an authorized flight instructor at an establishment, connect to the flight time for the entire flight time if he or she is classified as pilot-in-command of that aircraft.

For those of us who don`t have gauges for the “geometric zenite,” sunset occurs when you stand at sea level with a flat, clear horizon in average atmospheric conditions, and the upper part of the sun appears to be tangent to the horizon. By law, you cannot carry passengers until 1 hour after sunset if you are not present. So you have 1 hour to bring your passengers to the ground as soon as the sun sets. Hurry up!! No exceptions. You must be the only flight control manipulator when performing these three stationary landings and takeoffs. Watching someone do it doesn`t count! From civil twilight in the evening to civil twilight in the morning – that`s when you check in at night Now that you know the minimum speed requirements required to carry passengers at night, you can see that you need to check in regularly at night to stay up to date on these minimum requirements.