Risk Management: The rockets’ red glare

Having once seen the sun set into the Pacific, the moon rise above the Atlantic, or a city transformed to glowing geometry, you won’t likely forget it. Besides, the air’s usually smoother at night.

That’s particularly true in the summer, when thermal updrafts often roil the atmosphere from dawn to dusk. Add in the pleasure of cooler temperatures at altitude and the relief of escaping the crowds on the ground, and the idea of watching the Independence Day fireworks from above becomes downright intriguing (see “After the Checkride: A Spectacular Sight,” p. 18).

It’s an experience worth having—with some caveats. There are holiday-specific precautions on top of those that always apply to night flights, and the result may not be what you expect. Here are some points to consider:

Airspace: If your favorite show is inside Class B or C airspace, plan to go somewhere else. Unless you represent a recognized news organization, the chances of getting a clearance to orbit the scene are probably nil. On the other hand, Class D towers that don’t operate all night may have closed, leaving you on your own for traffic-spotting—as you’ll be at every nontowered field.

Traffic: If you’re not the only one with this idea, try to coordinate altitudes and directions of flight over the common traffic advisory frequency. You don’t want to be orbiting clockwise at 2,200 feet while your neighbor goes counterclockwise at 2,500. Even with reasonable altitude separation, you’ll likely spend a lot of time scanning for nav lights while your passengers enjoy the festivities.

Notices to airmen and TFRs: Are pyrotechnic displays hazards to aerial navigation? Could the blanket temporary flight restriction against loitering near sporting events and other outdoor gatherings apply? Better find out.

Eight hours: You’ll have to remember to pass on the beer after the afternoon softball game—and the wine at dinner.

Then there are the usual nocturnal problems with cloud and obstacle avoidance, not to mention the possibility of getting lost if you choose to venture beyond sight of the airport beacon.

If you do give it a try, you’ll likely be struck by just how low the bombs actually burst—well below 500 feet for most municipal displays. (Smaller shows, for baseball games and the like, are even lower.) If you’re based in one of the more densely populated areas of the country, you’ll also be surprised by how many different shows you’ll be able to see at once. Later ones may start as earlier ones approach their climaxes, stretching a planned 45-minute flight to an hour and a half—making it a good idea to pay close attention to fuel reserves, as well.

David Jack Kenny is an aviation writer and statistician.