sixpack
New Member
I was flying home late last night, VFR in a 152. I fly into this airport daily, but only a couple of times at night so far.
There is a BIG hill SE of the airport (Troutdale, KTTD). This "hill" is almost a straight-up cliff from sea level to 800 feet. The TPA is 1000' and you typically fly over this hill when turning to base. You can't help but look down to see how close you're wheels are from the trees as you turn from downwind to base. Base and Final are clear of this hill.
Back to my night flight experience. I entered the downwind as usual (tower closed), and kept expecting this hill to come into view (VFR clear). Just looked like dark nothing. I was abeam the numbers, and being familiar with the airport, I know I could fly another minute or so before hitting this hill. But I couldn't do it. The idea that there was a hill sitting there, and I could not see it scared me. I turned, overflew the runway, and entered from the other side.
This experience (not seeing the hill that I knew was there) really opened my eyes to night flying in areas with hills. If you find yourself questioning whether that big black spot ahead of you is nothing or terrain, get out of there.
There is a BIG hill SE of the airport (Troutdale, KTTD). This "hill" is almost a straight-up cliff from sea level to 800 feet. The TPA is 1000' and you typically fly over this hill when turning to base. You can't help but look down to see how close you're wheels are from the trees as you turn from downwind to base. Base and Final are clear of this hill.
Back to my night flight experience. I entered the downwind as usual (tower closed), and kept expecting this hill to come into view (VFR clear). Just looked like dark nothing. I was abeam the numbers, and being familiar with the airport, I know I could fly another minute or so before hitting this hill. But I couldn't do it. The idea that there was a hill sitting there, and I could not see it scared me. I turned, overflew the runway, and entered from the other side.
This experience (not seeing the hill that I knew was there) really opened my eyes to night flying in areas with hills. If you find yourself questioning whether that big black spot ahead of you is nothing or terrain, get out of there.