GravityKnight Posted June 22, 2014 Report Share Posted June 22, 2014 I post videos a lot in the Landing and Flying section but it looks like this is actually the place they belong. Took dad up for father's day. He is a pilot, although out of practice by 15ish years. We go flying one and a while, this time he didn't want to do any flying he just wanted to enjoy the sights and have me show him some stuff (40 degrees of flaps in a decent to see what kind of fpm it comes down at, stalls with different flap settings and landings with 30 degrees etc.). It's fun when you have someone onboard who knows flying/airplanes and wants to see what the plane is capable of. He wanted to visit some local airports. I think it was good for him to see the process of entering patterns, radio calls, and all that jazz at a couple airports and then back into class c. We were up about 2.2 hours and visited 3 airports in total plus a few other sites. Really fun evening! Not too many bumps today until we got back over Colorado Springs, wind was out of the east all day, pretty light at the first 2 strips and then a little more back at the home field. Just right to make it fun but still relaxing. Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gBfVPK6Z_Ik&feature=youtu.be Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FlyingMonkey Posted June 22, 2014 Report Share Posted June 22, 2014 He has until the end of civil twilight, which is usually about 30min after sunset. I can still see the sunlight through the clouds on the horizon during his landing rollout...I'd say he's probably legal for at least another 20-30 minutes. I have landed a few times under similar conditions, and even a tad later. On another note, I see a lot more bug spatters on the windscreen when you are landing than when taking off. Low level flying will do that to you, Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GravityKnight Posted June 25, 2014 Author Report Share Posted June 25, 2014 I hadn't checked this until now, so I guess something was posted and then deleted? It appears there was a question about what time of day this was, I landed about 8:15, civil twilight is 8:32 locally, so we came in plenty long before the limit. haha.. well we did make 6 landings that day, and this time of year there are a lot of moths, bugs, and other weird things in the air! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FlyingMonkey Posted June 25, 2014 Report Share Posted June 25, 2014 Not to belabor this, but the rule requires Sport Pilots not fly 'at night' which is arguably defined as 'civil twilight'. It's not arguable from a regulatory perspective. Night is defined by the FAA as the period after the end of evening civil twilight to the beginning of morning civil twilight. The definition is very specific. As you mentioned, the center of the sun's disk 6° below the horizon is the limit of civil twilight. That puts the sun well below the horizon, but still provides enough light to see by. I agree that the private certificate is better if one plans to push the limits a lot, but there might be other reasons a person would not want a PP certificate. Hopefully when the FAA announced their proposed rulemaking on the 3rd class medical, one of those reasons will become irrelevant. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
N89WD Posted June 26, 2014 Report Share Posted June 26, 2014 If your going to push your rating limits, don't post videos or talk about on a blog or online community. Just sayin. Get a PP ticket. Easy stuff Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Anticept Posted June 27, 2014 Report Share Posted June 27, 2014 Leave the guy alone. He was perfectly legal and posted a nice video. It's sound advice though (let's not derail into another debate, unless we take it to a new thread). I don't think he means to be an ass, just stern that posting things publicly should be done with care and reservation to ensure it's "sterilized" of iffy stuff. Still, good video, and how did it look before you stabilized the image? Also are you using a neutral density filter? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Anticept Posted June 27, 2014 Report Share Posted June 27, 2014 Just to point out: some AMEs give consultations first. Basically, they won't go through the formal process of the medical until after a sit down to discuss medical history, etc. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tom Baker Posted June 27, 2014 Report Share Posted June 27, 2014 Not to belabor this, but the rule requires Sport Pilots not fly 'at night' which is arguably defined as 'civil twilight'. Civil Twilight is defined as the center of the sun 6 degrees below the horizon. Full nightime is 18 degrees below horizon. The landing did appear to happen at or around sunset and the light dim enough to cause the airport lights to come on. I simply suggested another reason to get a full Private Pilot license is so you don't have to sweat the near or at night landings. Not that anyone is gonna know you are flying as a Sport Pilot. The only real difference between Sport and Private is a 3rd class med, a little longer cross country, two more hours of under hood, and a written test that includes VOR questions. And another checkride of course. You are obviously a well skilled pilot landing at all kinds of narrow and remote air strips. And no doubt have accumulated far more hours and experience than you would need to get the Private. Trying to judge how dark it is by the fact that the runway lights are on does not give a real idea of how dark it really is. The runway lights use a photo cell to activate the lights. If the cover for the cell is dirty the lights will come on early. This is just like the yard lights coming on at different times. Also the difference for the sport verses private is bigger than you are stating. You may need all 3 hours of instrument training, and even more since you now have to perform to a standard on the check ride. Not all sport pilots have or are required to have any instrument training. You didn't mention the 3 hours of night training either. You also need more cross country training as well as more cross country solo time in addition to the longer cross country. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Anticept Posted June 28, 2014 Report Share Posted June 28, 2014 Everyone here knows the requirements to get a Sport Pilot certificate and most know the requirements to get a Private. If the OP wanted to get a Private, he would unless there are reasons he can't. There is NOTHING careless or "iffy" about the OP's post or video. He already posted what time it was, yet the resident, all knowing student pilot chastised him. If he was posting a video of himself in violation of FAR's, it would be different. I love it when someone says, "not to belabor this," and then goes on to belabor this. Seems I missed this. I didn't notice who you were talking about (thought it was a reply to N89WD). Sorry Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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