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Anyone got any tips on night flying through mountainous terrain? i seem to always hit a mountain sid because of the visual range or because it's just too dark.

In real life, you don't fly around mountains when its really dark, unless you know you are above the maximum heights for the area, or are on an IFR flightplan and approach.  Many a real pilot learned this deadly lesson the hard.  Controlled flight into terrain is a frequent cause of crashes.

Anyone got any tips on night flying through mountainous terrain?

Apart from DON'T?

Or if you're up for a real challenge grab a stopwatch and the trusty old sectional.

Fly the way submarines do  ;D

Fly with the GPS open and set to TERRAIN mode and follow the green.

Two tips;
a) don't fly fast.
b) put landing lights on but not cockpit lights. That way you should see things before you hit them

A "Radio Altimeter" installation is excellent for informing you of your height above the ground (AGL)... ...!

...but...unfortunately, not the hill directly in front of you.... ....until it's too late... ...!!

LOL...!

Mountains, Clouds, and Water, are a pilots greatest fear....in the dark, it's even worse...!

Note that you are required to be trained in (IFR), Instrument Flight Rules, before you are allowed to fly in
poor visibility......!

Pilots with a PPL, Private Pilots Licence, flying under VFR conditions, are required to be on the ground before Dusk approaches.....night-time is a definite no-no...!!

Paul...I love daylight...Sunshine....(VFR) Visual Flight Rules... ...!


...as Davysim's mentions, "flying into terrain" is the commonest causes of fatal accidents. They happen all too frequently... ...!

I'll tell you this. Flying the mountains in the evening is loads of fun. Flying the mountains in the night is living hell. When it starts to get dark, climb to a safe altitude.

Note that you are required to be trained in (IFR), Instrument Flight Rules, before you are allowed to fly in
poor visibility......!

Pilots with a PPL, Private Pilots Licence, flying under VFR conditions, are required to be on the ground before Dusk approaches.....night-time is a definite no-no...!!

Paul...I love daylight...Sunshine....(VFR) Visual Flight Rules... ...!


.

Not in the US...but of course the tricky part at night is telling whether or not you are clear of clouds...

In urban areas or on very clear starry or moonlit nights, it's easy to remain VFR, but every now and then  pilots blunder into clouds (and obstacles) at night, often with tragic results. even more tragic is the fact that these poor souls are often instrument-rated... go figure.

Under the right conditions, VFR flight at night is wonderful: calm air, much, much easier traffic-spotting (if they have their lights on) and less traffic in general, and the pretty lights of the night sky and/or the cities below to look at.
Been a long time since I started a flight after sunset; I should have another crack at that this summer.

However, I have little desire to fly off over rugged terrain at night in a single-engine aircraft... a forced landing in sparsely-populated hills or mountains  could ruin your evening.

Other than that remote possibility, I think the various illusions associated with night flight, particularly the "Black hole approach" illusion, are the VFR pilot's most likely challenges... but if you are expecting it and understand what's going on, it's no big deal.

Agree Rotty! Night flight was one of my favorite things about flying in real life. Leaving the ground and rising up to see the city lights, WOW! Better than Christmas!

BTW, I finally figured out your picture! That's a little guy on the dash of a real airplane, Mr. Mysterioso is leaning up against the compass, and a mountain out the front off in the distance. You can't believe how often I looked at that, and thought it was a guy standing on a snow covered hill, next to a, uh, coffin?? or something.  ;D

Agree Rotty! Night flight was one of my favorite things about flying in real life. Leaving the ground and rising up to see the city lights, WOW! Better than Christmas!

BTW, I finally figured out your picture! That's a little guy on the dash of a real airplane, Mr. Mysterioso is leaning up against the compass, and a mountain out the front off in the distance. You can't believe how often I looked at that, and thought it was a guy standing on a snow covered hill, next to a, uh, coffin?? or something.  ;D

I'm not sure what to make of that... but Mr. Mysterioso says:
"Estupido..."



He was a figurine I got at a voodoo shop in New Orleans (last-minute search for cheap gifts for coworkers back home). I got it for the engineer at work because it made me think of him (tall w/mustache).The witch behind the counter told me he brought good luck to travelers, so I figured he should ride on the glareshield with me for the flight back to NJ.

Hewas quiet, but good company.

I guess it worked- no problems on those legs, except having to pee really badly somewhere near Washington...

Re night flying:

Can you say "Dean Paul Martin?"

Quite tragic, it was...

Depending on what type of aircraft you are flying, I am surprised that no one has mentioned TAWS (Terrain Awareness and Warning System.) TAWS is a required by FARs to be installed on commercial and corporate aircraft. It gives you visual and audio warnings of possible conflicts as far as terrain.

Learn More:
http://images.google.com/imgres?imgurl= ... l%26sa%3DN

Two tips;
a) don't fly fast.
b) put landing lights on but not cockpit lights. That way you should see things before you hit them

Works on some aircraft, but not on some, as landing lights may require gear to be extened, like for instance, on the King Air's.

I would suggest you get the most current maps of the area and figure out what altitude to fly at based on the map information.The only other thing you would need would be a rabbits foot and a large container for waste use
There is no better way to have the SH#% scared out of you then night flying around unfamilar mountains. 8-)