Eblo

Night Time

I finally got some air-time last night. Went up just before sundown, launching right around 6:15p.m. Did 3 trips around the patch, then got gutsy enough to leave the pattern. I say gutsy because it was starting to get dark and this was my first night-time in about 220 days. I had intended to go up with a CFI for a refresher, but while I was in the plane and it was getting dark, I was confident I could handle it. I never had any problems with night landings, my only real concern was a) finding the airport and b) the non-standard lighting at 5K6. But, we now have landing lights on BOTH sides of the runway, they were just on the south edge before. So I made the calculated decision to keep flying. I was prepared with three flashlights and if I needed to, I could always divert to ENW or UGN which I could light up like a Christmas tree.

I just flew around a bit, enjoying the smooth air and beautiful lights, and eventually decided to drop in on good ol' C81, where I did my training. My first night landing (now it was good'n'dark) was back at 'home.' It was nice to see a few much-needed improvements, like new taxiway pavement, and I think a new wind sock. It was kind of strange to land back at C81 - it was like going home for the first visit after going off to college. It was familiar, but slightly
uncomfortable.

I took off out of there, then ambled back to 5K6. I think I heard about 3 other planes during the duration of my flight. Despite warnings and my concerns, I had no problems finding Westosha. Before I left the area, I had marked it well in my mind. There's a well-lit quarry and at the time, athletic fields (but I know I can't always count on those being on), that help pick out the airport. I did three more trips around the pattern and actually had some of my best landings to date in the 172. On 03 at 5K6, the tendancy is to go long, because you come in RIGHT over some houses. No matter how hard you try to fight it, your subconscious keeps you higher than you should be. At night, you don't see so much, so you're more inclined to be lower where you should be. But hopefully not TOO low.

Anyway, it was a great relaxing flight which I really needed. I had been getting
really frustrated with various things getting in the way of flying.

1.5 hours and 7 landings in the log book, including 0.8/4 at night.

It was a trifecta. I LOVE flying. I love flying the 172. And I love flying at night. It doesn't get too much better than that.