The image above represents so much to me. This was one of my first solo night flights. I am a private pilot with over 400 hours. My aviation journey began later in life, as raising my family has been my top goal for the past 20 years. My fascination with flying began as a little kid, when I flew aerobatics with my uncle. Although I recently obtained my pilot’s license, I have had a lifelong fascination in flying.
Because of my late start, I’ve done more flying in the last two years than most other pilots. I have a lifetime’s worth of travel locations on my bucket list, and I am proud to have visited over 52 airports to date. After a recent night trip, I realized how much I appreciate the black sky. Pilots have the freedom to determine their own routes and times of travel. One of the most appealing aspects of general flying is its freedom. Seeing the world from above is an incredible opportunity that we pilots have.
Comparison of Day Flight and Night Flight
Daytime and nighttime flying are not the same, yet each has distinct advantages. What I enjoy about flying during the day is the capacity to observe things in small scale. Day flights are full of excitement and adrenaline. Life is continuously moving at Mach speeds. Cars are moving fast to their destinations. You witness the beauty and mediocrity of everyday life. Everyone branches off to their own particular destination: doctor, school, meeting, store, etc.
It’s simple to recognize and sympathize with the people I share the planet with below. The roads are all carefully designed to get people from point A to point B (albeit the road planning commission’s reasoning is sometimes unclear!). It’s comforting to see folks doing exactly what I do every day. It is a bond we all share, even if it is not always pleasant.
Night flights are distinctive. They are fairly uncommon for me. They appear unorthodox and maybe harmful. It’s inconvenient not to be able to see things as well as one would during daylight hours. The thrill of my first night flight during training was unforgettable. The ambiance surrounding the airport was distinct. It was eerie. Everything was quiet around the airport and FBO. There was a security guard hovering around in his security car, holding a massive spotlight. All of the welcoming faces of students and other instructors were gone for the day. The lineboys were gone. The pre-flight was really frustrating; trying to hold a torch in one hand while checking the gas tanks and oil level with the other.
A Night Flight: A Serene Escape
My instructor and I launched off the runway and into the air, and everything was calmer than I had expected. The air was quite smooth! The viewpoint was dramatically different. The city lights twinkled, making everything underneath us shine. The city appeared calm and tranquil. It was practically impossible to see individual cars on the road. The talk on the radio was much quieter. It was relaxing. Since then, flying at night has become one of my favorite ways to travel. Each time, I understand what a rare position I’m in that few people get to experience. I am grateful. During that moment, my mind is willingly quieted, as is the rest of the world.
Instead than listening to music through my headphones, I like to hear the engine hum. The tasks of piloting are less stressful. The gloomy sky takes me and my mind to another world. It’s acceptable for me to simply enjoy the journey. This is the time to let go of worrying about tomorrow and instead become what I see around me: calm, quiet, and easygoing.
End Line
Each flight comes to an end (hopefully at my desired location!). I sometimes wish the flight would never end. Don’t they always seem to end too quickly? Inevitably, when the jet approaches the runway, it’s time to reset and return to full concentration mode. Life will resume its normal pace, and my surrounds will be filled with noise. My days are busy with activities, appointments, and errands. Fortunately, traveling at night has become my favorite time to travel. It’s also easy for me to schedule. If flying at night sounds difficult, practice with a friend or instructor. If they allow themselves, any pilot can enjoy night flying.