Coms

Don't be afraid of the dark

Great article in the January/February 2023 issue of Flight Training (“Don’t Be Afraid of the Dark,” by Alicia Herron). I’ve got additional thoughts and suggestions to offer. Number one is to fly the route in daylight first, if possible, before trying it at night. Additionally, I’ve found that high-intensity airport lights can be helpful in confirming airport location but can be a “blinding headlight” problem on landing. It might be good to lower intensity on final. 

Third, a biggie for me, is to become familiar with IFR en route charts and approach plates for purposes of navigation familiarity, safe altitudes, obstructions, airport environment and lighting, et cetera. Even severe clear VFR flight can benefit greatly from the work already done for us in development and maintenance of IFR resources.

John Berg
San Pedro, California

Just a general comment about “Don’t Be Afraid of the Dark.” It says “...and [the airplane will] act just like it does during the day, as long as you do too.”

I understand what the author was trying to get at and agree. However, I know pilots who only fly during the day and summers and fly specific power settings in the pattern that get them in really close proximity to a 90, 80, and 70 mph pattern and 1,000 feet on the downwind to 400 to 500 feet at base to final.

If they flew at night and temps dropped from 95 down to 60, which can be experienced in a lot of places, flight characteristics would be different. So, a pilot who is used to their power setting patterns may find themselves slightly confused coming in for a landing. An experienced pilot would probably quickly adjust, but a student or low time pilot taught power settings to reduce the workload stress of the pattern may not.

Ryan Woodward
Cincinnati, Ohio

Taildragger fever

I wanted to thank Jill W. Tallman for her tailwheel article (“Taildragger Fever,” January/February Flight Training). I especially smiled when she talked about the rudder—dancing, not holding. It’s so true, and takes a while to reprogram our nosewheel initial training—especially the not holding part. My two tailwheels have come to me with good energy. Red Fox (a Cessna 185) came from a member of my RAF family. And my Super Decathlon, Ms Scarlett, I bought from Kathleen Sullivan, a former astronaut and first American woman to walk in space.

Christine Mortine
Worthington, Ohio

Tailwheel is endlessly addictive. I just love those five little round gauges, the wire sticking up in front, and the whole side of the airplane open to the wild blue. Started in taildraggers, never wanted to be in anything else! Got my ticket in November at age 70, finally making it happen despite the need for careful budgeting. There’s nothing quite like a grass strip; deer, turkeys, buzzards, runway undulating up-down-and-sideways, unpredictable sink from location on the top of a ridge, lots of exercise shoving the Cub uphill from the hangar to the fuel tank…just loads and loads of the very best kind of fun.

Rebecca Carey
Southampton, Pennsylvania

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Notice of annual meeting of members

The Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association annual member meeting will be held at 9 a.m. on Thursday, May 18, 2023, at AOPA headquarters, 421 Aviation Way, Frederick, Maryland, 21701, located at the Frederick Municipal Airport (FDK), for the purpose of electing trustees. AOPA’s CEO will also give a report/update on the state of general aviation.

While not required, if you plan to attend, we would appreciate your RSVP to [email protected]. If you are not able to attend, but would like to appoint your voting proxy, please visit aopa.org/proxyupdate or use the QR code below. You may also do so by calling 800-872-2672. —Justine A. Harrison, Secretary

Update voting proxy here