Objective:To introduce the pilot to planning and executing a nighttime cross-country flight to the commercial pilot skill level. This flight must be at least 2 hours in duration, a total straight-line distance of more than 100 NM from the original point of departure, and occur in nighttime conditions.

Text References:Commercial Pilot Flight Maneuvers and Practical Test Prep (FM); Pilot Handbook (PH); Pilot’s Operating Handbook (POH)

Content

1. Flight Lesson 20 complete? Yes Copy of lesson placed in pilot’s folder? Yes

2. Preflight briefing

3. Review items

Physiological aspects of night flying - CFI

Lighting and equipment for night flight - CFI

Performance and limitations - FM 102-105;POH-2, 5, 6

Airport, runway, and taxiway signs, markings, and lighting - FM 160-167

Runway incursion avoidance - FM 139-143

Preflight inspection - FM 118-122; POH-4

Normal and crosswind takeoff and climb - FM 170-178; POH-4

Normal and crosswind approach and landing - FM 179-196; POH-4

Soft-field takeoff and climb - FM 197-202; POH-4

Soft-field approach and landing - FM 203-207; POH-4

Short-field takeoff and maximum performance climb - FM 208-214; POH-4

Short-field approach and landing - FM 215-221; POH-4

Go-around/rejected landing - FM 231-235; POH-4

Collision and runway incursion avoidance procedures - FM 153-154

Straight-and-level (IR) - CFI

Constant airspeed climbs and descents (IR) - CFI

Turns to a heading (IR) - CFI

Recovery from unusual attitudes (IR) - CFI

Partial panel flying (IR) - CFI

Intercepting and tracking navigational systems (IR) - CFI

After landing, parking, and securing - FM 336-339; POH-4

4. New items (night operations)

Weather information - FM 77-91

Cross-country flight planning - FM 92-94

Pilotage and dead reckoning - FM 270-274

Navigation systems and radar services - FM 275-276; PH 481-514

Magnetic compass turns - FM 272-274; PH 96-101

Diversion - FM 277-279

Lost procedures - FM 280-282

Emergency equipment and survival gear - FM 323-324; POH-7, 9

Additional items at CFI’s discretion

5. Postflight critique and preview of next lesson

NOTE: This lesson may be completed under VFR or IFR at the discretion of the flight instructor and/or chief flight instructor, as appropriate.

Completion Standards

This lesson will have been successfully completed when the pilot is able to plan and conduct a nighttime cross-country flight. The pilot will be able to maintain altitude, ±100 ft.; heading, ±10°; and the desired airspeed, ±10 kt. Additionally, the pilot will be able to verify the airplane’s position within 2 NM of the flight planned route at all times.