by Ken Ibold

Night flight brings with it a number of threatening elements. From invisible weather to pilot fatigue to visual illusions, night brings with it challenges that don’t seem daunting until you are alone in the darkness.

In some countries, an instrument rating is required to fly at night. The wisdom of that requirement is up for debate, but instrument proficiency is hardly a guarantee that the pilot won’t rely on outside visual cues at a time when they’re anything but reliable. …