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Landing on Unlit Runway at Night

Discussion in 'Technical Talk' started by braunpilot, Dec 30, 2011.

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  1. Blackhawk Well-Known Member

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    At least it is not like an Air Force facility. Tower closed=airfield closed.
    Blackhawk, Mar 29, 2012
    #41

  2. MikeD Administrator

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    Not even the airport beacon is left on, nor are the runway lights.

    Are AAF's the same way? I only know KFHU intimately, but it's a joint-use field, so it's not a good representation. Does KBIF operate that way?
    MikeD, Mar 29, 2012
    #42

  3. Blackhawk Well-Known Member

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    Nope. Just like a civilian airfield- it just becomes a non-towered military airfield.
    Blackhawk, Mar 29, 2012
    #43

  4. z987k Well-Known Member

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    Well as in a lot of cases, if you don't bend metal, who is to say who did what. If the runway is unlit there's a really good chance it's way way way out there, likely not hard surface.
    z987k, Mar 30, 2012
    #44

  5. Blackhawk Well-Known Member

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    I'm not with a FSDO and as long as someone is safe I'm not going to snitch. The problem is that there are people who will and FAA Safety Inspectors have been known to hang out at airports. Since a precedent has been set in court you are putting your ticket on the line if you do this. Heck, pilots are being violated for doing right hand patterns.
    Blackhawk, Mar 30, 2012
    #45

  6. MikeD Administrator

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    Uncontrolled field, or after the field is closed, there's no requirement to talk on the radio and identify yourself. Or to even use your callsign if you do. :D
    MikeD, Mar 30, 2012
    #46

  7. Blackhawk Well-Known Member

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    Not sure what they do now, but it would turn into an uncontrolled airfield. First I realized that the Air Force required a tower was at Hunter Army Airfield back in the 90s; we were doing NVG operations late one night and the tower was still open. Asked what they were doing hanging around and they said an Air Force C-5 was inbound and they had to stay open until it landed. Ran into a problem later on trying to use Hurlbert in the early morning- we tried at first to use it without the tower but were told we could not use it unless the tower was manned.
    Blackhawk, Mar 30, 2012
    #47

  8. MikeD Administrator

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    Yes, USAF fields, when closed after operating hours, will have the runway lights and airport beacon off. All that remains on is the VASI/PAPIs sometimes.

    For the civilian uncontrolled field or after hours......with regards to FAA or anyone hanging around, thats where my comments of "just don't talk on the radio" come in, if you're the only one there landing on a dark runway. :)
    MikeD, Mar 30, 2012
    #48

  9. Blackhawk Well-Known Member

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    If you land on a dark runway and no one is there to see it, did it happen?
    Of course there are some places where landing on a dark runway might actually attract attention.
    Blackhawk, Mar 30, 2012
    #49

  10. MikeD Administrator

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    Like in the surrounding area where I work. Id probably be the one having to go see what it is! :)
    MikeD, Mar 30, 2012
    #50

  11. Blackhawk Well-Known Member

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    Exactly what I was thinking. Landing on an unlit runway near the border wouldn't raise ANY suspicion at all.
    Blackhawk, Mar 30, 2012
    #51

  12. mshunter Well-Known Member

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    This. All that goes through my mind is 91.13. I'd rather not have to explain anything to a fed. You are just increasing your odds of having something come up and bite you.

    My days of doing dumb suff for fun are over. I have to much to loose.
    mshunter, Apr 1, 2012
    #52

  13. Autothrust Blue Aging Geek

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    Es okay...they come in every night, same time... ;)
    Autothrust Blue, Apr 1, 2012
    #53

  14. scooter2525 Well-Known Member

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    [IMG]
    scooter2525, Apr 13, 2012
    #54
    DPApilot and Autothrust Blue like this.

  15. spoolinup22 Well-Known Member

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    ask @tlewis95 about these unlit runway at night...
    spoolinup22, Apr 15, 2012
    #55

  16. tlewis95 I drive planez.

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    There were AT LEAST 6 runway lights there. It was the ground fog, grass, probability of deer and trees that were out there somewhere that made it more exciting.
    tlewis95, Apr 16, 2012
    #56
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