Learning to fly after dark

Training does not stop when the sun goes down. In low-light conditions, future pilots develop key skills such as night navigation, interpretation of cockpit instruments, use of airport lighting systems, and maintaining orientation with limited visual references. Flying at night challenges students in new ways. With fewer external cues, greater reliance is placed on instruments and decision-making. It also introduces factors such as spatial orientation and managing fatigue, helping students build confidence in an environment that is both demanding and rewarding.

For student Paula Kubuliņa, her first night flight was a memorable experience. ‘The feelings were quite interesting,’ she recalls. ‘I didn’t really know what to expect.’ Having never flown from the Kupiškis airfield (Lithuania) before and returning to flying after a three-month break, it required some adjustment. ‘I wouldn’t say I felt fully confident yet, but it was a great learning experience,’ she says.

Once in the air, Kubuliņa quickly adapted to the conditions. ‘At night you can’t see much, so the instruments become your main reference,’ she explains. During the navigation flight, the lights of cities below provided reassurance: ‘As you climb higher, you can see where you are, and that gives you a sense of orientation.’ She adds that the environment becomes more familiar with each flight, and thus it becomes easier to navigate and feel comfortable.

For Ņikita Kuļikovs, his first night flight was equally memorable. A three-hour session in Kupiškis introduced additional challenges, from an unfamiliar airfield to a grass runway in near-total darkness. ‘Apart from the runway, you can see practically nothing,’ he says. But previous instrument flight training proved invaluable, giving him confidence when visual references disappeared from sight.

Support from the instructors also played a key role. ‘The professional attitude of the instructor helped reduce stress,’ Kuļikovs notes. For navigation, he relied on simple but effective techniques, such as following illuminated roads or heading toward city lights. He later felt more comfortable on his first solo night flight in Ventspils (Latvia), thanks to his local knowledge of the area.

Although night flying makes up only a small portion of overall pilot training, both students agree that it leaves a lasting impression, teaching not only valuable skills but also offering a unique perspective on familiar landscapes from above.