AOPA Services

The Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association is general aviation's advocate and the largest, most influential aviation association in the world. Its membership of more than 414,000 comprises nearly two-thirds of all pilots in the United States. Visit and bookmark our Web site designed especially to serve the information needs of student pilots. All AOPA Flight Training members, including those with free six-month introductory memberships, have full access to AOPA's resources, including the members-only areas of AOPA Flight Training Online and AOPA Online.

Flying at night

Would it surprise you to learn that many pilots say they prefer flying at night more than piloting an airplane during the daylight hours? It's true. There are several reasons to love night flight: In general, the air is calmer because the Earth's surface has cooled. The radio frequencies are quieter because there are fewer aircraft flying. The anticollision lights of aircraft in your vicinity are easier to spot. And then, of course, there's the view. Whether you fly above a sparkling Los Angeles Basin or atop the black abyss of rural Kansas, night flying offers views you won't find during the day.

If you're training for the private pilot certificate and don't live in Alaska, you'll be required to complete three hours of night flight training, which must include 10 takeoffs and landings to a full stop, and a cross-country flight of more than 100 nautical miles. With shorter days the norm this time of year, night operations are likely to play a bigger role in your training.

Preparing for a night flight does require some additional planning, and it goes beyond dumping a few extra flashlights into your flight bag. That's why we've compiled a number of resources to help you. For starters, take a look at AOPA's aviation subject report on night flying. Here, you'll learn the regulatory definition of night flight and get an introduction to the optical illusions that can occur while flying after dark, such as when traveling on a moonless night over a sparsely populated area. Review the AOPA Air Safety Foundation's Safety Hot Spot on night VFR where you'll find additional information on terrain avoidance and spatial disorientation--two key areas of concern when operating at night--along with videos and safety quizzes related to night operations. Round off your research with a look at Alton K. Marsh's review of airports that are difficult to find in the dark ("City Lights") from the November 2008 AOPA Pilot. Is your airport among them?

All of the resources listed here are free to AOPA members, including AOPA Flight Training introductory members. Take advantage of everything that your membership has to offer, and make the most of your night flight experience.

INTERESTED IN LEARNING TO FLY?
Visit AOPA's engaging Web site for people who want to know more about what's involved in learning to fly--and what it's like	www.LetsGoFlying.com
RESOURCES FOR STUDENT PILOTS
Ask an AOPA flight instructor	ft.aopa.org/ask
AOPA Flight Training magazine article archive	ft.aopa.org/archive
Aviation library	ft.aopa.org/library
Supplemental information arranged by stage of training	ft.aopa.org/student
Virtual flight bag, including online weather and airport directory	ft.aopa.org/flightbag
PILOT INFORMATION CENTER Members can receive answers to flight training and other aviation questions, and join or renew by telephone, 8:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. Eastern time, Monday through Friday
800/USA-AOPA (872-2672)
Via the Internet	ft.aopa.org/ask
AOPA AIR SAFETY FOUNDATION ONLINE SAFETY CENTER Dedicated to providing general aviation pilot education and safety programs online.
Via the Internet	www.asf.org
Dial	800/638-3101
AOPA MEMBER PRODUCTS
AOPA Aircraft Financing Program	800/62-PLANE
AOPA Aircraft Insurance Program	800/622-AOPA
Non-owned aircraft and CFI policies available
AOPA Credit Card Program	800/523-7666
AOPA Legal Services Plan	800/USA-AOPA
Other products	800/USA-AOPA
ONLINE GUIDE TO AOPA MEMBER SERVICES To join or renew, or for information about AOPA membership, e-mail [email protected] or visit the Web site.
NEW ADDRESS? Send your new address and membership number to AOPA, 421 Aviation Way, Frederick, Maryland 21701
Fax	301/695-2375
Via the Internet	www.aopa.org/coa-form.html