On 19 Sep 2005 14:38:55 -0700, wrote:

What are your thoughts on instrument training at night? Personally I
don't fly at night and have only for what was required for my PPSEL.

Having the fact that I own my plane, I would fly at night in a heart beat.

I had my engine overhauled shortly after I bought the plane, and I have
managed to nurse my plane to where every button, knob and lever works. It
took me 2 years to get to this point.

Having said this, my first night flight in IMC was not expected. I managed
to get 8.6 actual in the daylight (all training flights) before my first
night cross country flight in actual conditions.

My flight from Stuebenville Ohio to Madison MS, when I left, the forecast
was for severe clear on departure. I knew I would be flying 2 hours after
sunset.

I planned a fuel stop in Bowling Green KY. It was at that fuel stop where
I found out the cold front that was suppose to move south instead became
stationary and turned into a warm front. I had got a flight briefing the
night before, but didn't get one that morning, so I was surprised how
quickly things had changed.

It was severe clear on my first leg, and it was bumpier then I am used to
(should have been my first clue the weather pattern was changing).

Night IFR in the clouds, TO ME, was actually easier then severe clear. The
nav lights gave a very soft glow inside the clouds, making it a soft grey
rather then pitch black. So, while I had to continuously scan my
instruments, I found the nav lights a rather soothing feeling, that I
wasn't in a dark hole and to rest my eyes, I would look at each wing tip to
force myself not to focus on one instrument. I felt no different flying
night IFR then flying VFR as my instrument scan was the same.

I was in and out of rain showers at night, and the only way I knew this was
from hearing the rain beat on the windshield. It was bumpier then all get
out in the clouds, and ATC was more then accommodating when I ask for
altitude changes.

For this flight, I flew 2.5 in actual conditions at night which terminated
as an VOR Alpa approach where I broke out at 1400 feet at MBO.

There is a lot more work at night in cockpit management. You can't just
glance down and pick up a chart, you must be organized. If you have good
cockpit management at night, day IFR operations will be that much simpler.

Radio is much quieter at night! Almost too quiet! I would fly 10 minutes
without hearing a voice. While that is nice in some respect, it also makes
you paranoid, did I lose my radios.

The plane doesn't care if it's IMC or severe clear, day or night. As long
as you have a plane you can trust your life in the daytime, night time IFR
is no different in my opinion.

After all, when you are in the clag, you won't have too many landing
options to look for anyway especially if ceilings are only 1000 feet day or
night.

So, to answer your question, based on my experienced, a big yes, night IFR
training would be a good idea.

Allen