I wanted to contact you because I am terribly afraid of flying at night because I cannot see what is happening outside while flying and that makes me really nervous.
Please help me. I wish to know how safe is it to fly at night?
Sincerely,
Lola
Hi Lola,
If your fear is that it is more difficult for a pilot to fly at night, let me assure you that, to an airline pilot, there is very little difference between flying in day or at night. In fact, when a pilot is flying inside the clouds, there is nothing for him to look outside except the flight instruments inside the cockpit. In good weather, a pilot can see the landing lights of a runway very well at night.
A pilot is trained to fly in all kind of weather conditions. At suitably equipped airports with Instrument Landing Systems, a properly instrument-trained pilot is even able to land ‘blind’ or at very low visibility of around the length of a football field (100 meters) and cloud ceiling up to roof top level! (20 feet)
Leave it to the pilot to take you safely to your destination. If it is safe for him, it is equally safe for you. Therefore, there is no cause for you to feel nervous at all!
Yes, it is safe to fly at night!
PS. To check for any latest updates or postings, you can follow my new Twitter at @CaptKHLim
