At night, a pilot's visual experience shifts from the external environment to a reliance on instruments inside the cockpit.
Reliance on Instruments
Due to limited visibility at night, pilots depend heavily on cockpit instruments for navigation and maintaining control of the aircraft.
- Artificial Horizon: Pilots use the artificial horizon, also known as the attitude indicator, to determine the aircraft's orientation relative to the earth. According to one reference, the artificial horizon "is normally a simply globe split into two hemispheres." This instrument helps the pilot discern whether the aircraft is in a climb, a dive, or rolling.
Summary of Visual Cues
Here's a summary of what a pilot focuses on during nighttime flights:
| Visual Cue | Description |
|---|---|
| Instrument Panel | Provides critical information about the aircraft's speed, altitude, and direction. |
| Artificial Horizon | Indicates the aircraft's attitude (climb, dive, roll). |
| External Lights | Other aircraft lights, and lights on the ground may be visible depending on conditions. |
