By Joseph E. (Jeb) Burnside

Night flying can be one of the most enjoyable ways a pilot can exercise his or her flight privileges. The air is generally smoother, there usually is less traffic (unless you’re flying near Memphis or Louisville) and any traffic will be easier to spot. Too, clear nights away from city lights afford pilots a much clearer view of the moon and stars, which always seem closer.

But night flying brings not only change, but challenge. The same dark conditions that make it easier to spot an illuminated object or aircraft can make it impossible to identify something without lights. That lack of light wreaks havoc on the…