PH.IX.A.K1
KnowledgePhysiological aspects of vision related to night flying.
From the FAA library
- Chapter 12: Night Operations › Night Vision › Night Scanning
Night Vision Diet and general physical health have an impact on how well a person can see in the dark. Deficiencies in vitamins A and C have been shown to reduce night acuity. Other factors, such as carbon monoxide poisoning ... smoking, alcohol, and certain drugs can greatly decrease night vision. Lack of oxygen can also decrease night vision as the eye requires more oxygen per unit weight than any other part of the body. Night Scanning Good night visual acuity…
- Chapter 17: Aeromedical Factors › Vision in Flight › Night Blind Spot
Night Vision There are many good reasons to fly at night, but pilots must keep in mind that the risks of night flying are different than during the day and often times higher. [Figure 17-16] Pilots who are cautious ... educated on night-flying techniques can mitigate those risks and become very comfortable and proficient in the task. Night Blind Spot It is estimated that once fully adapted to darkness, the rods are 10,000 times more sensitive to light…
- Chapter 17: Aeromedical Factors › Vision in Flight › Night Vision Protection
This precaution increases the rate of dark adaptation at night and improves night visual sensitivity. Oxygen Supply Unaided night vision depends on optimum function and sensitivity of the rods of the retina. Lack of oxygen to the rods (hypoxia) significantly ... reduces their sensitivity. Sharp clear vision (with the best being equal to 20–20 vision) requires significant oxygen especially at night. Without supplemental oxygen, an individual’s night vision declines measurably at pressure altitudes above 4,000 feet. As altitude…
- Chapter 12: Night Operations › Night Flight › Takeoff
Night Traffic Patterns Traffic patterns are covered in Chapter 9, Basic Flight Maneuvers, but the following additional considerations should be taken into account when flying a helicopter in a night traffic pattern: 1. The minimum recommended pattern height at night ... feet when able. 2. If possible, consider taking the right hand night pattern with fixed wing in the left hand pattern for extra separation, but if needed, conform and integrate with the fixed wing using the same pattern height…
- Chapter 12: Night Operations › Helicopter Night VFR Operations
have enough reflectivity or cultural lighting to ever be characterized as a high lighting area. Through the accumulation of night flying experience in a particular area, the pilot develops the ability to determine, prior to departure, which areas ... lighting conditions are observed or determined to be regularly available. Even if the aircraft is certified for day and night VFR conditions, night flight should only be conducted if adequate celestial illumination is assured during the entirety of the flight…
- 14 CFR § 61.57 Recent flight experience: Pilot in command.
section do not apply to the examiner or the applicant during a practical test required by this part. (f) Night vision goggle operating experience. (1) A person may act as pilot in command in a night vision goggle operation with ... person performs and logs the following tasks as the sole manipulator of the controls on a flight during a night vision goggle operation— (i) Three takeoffs and three landings, with each takeoff and landing including a climbout, cruise, descent…