Night Flight
- January 22, 2020
Atmospheric pressure at 1046 hPa and not a cloud in sight, it’s the perfect opportunity to carry out some nighttime flights. It’s also a chance to submit my very first flight plan and switch on the landing strips!
Arriving at the flying club around 6:30 PM, I quickly refueled the DR400. The automatic fuel station in Rennes closes at 7:00 PM… After refueling, I showed my flight plan and navigation chart to my instructor. Everything was in order, so I called the BRIA (Regional Information and Assistance Offices for Flight) by phone.
In just 4 minutes, the outbound and return flight plans were submitted! We now have 30 minutes to prepare. Pre-flight inspection, boarding, and engine start. I radioed the tower, announcing that we were “under flight plan” to allow them to activate our flight.
Takeoff followed by a left turn towards Redon. At 3000 feet, I set the altimeter to 1013 hPa and continued climbing to FL045. The visibility is excellent; the lights of the cities of Saint-Nazaire and Nantes sparkle on the horizon. Above Redon, I altered course to the right to reach the Vannes aerodrome.
The Nantes air traffic control asked us to switch to the Vannes frequency. I acknowledged and announced my position 5 minutes before reaching the airfield. At 3 minutes, I activated the runway lights by clicking three times the radio transmit switch. The runway suddenly appeared on the dark ground. I integrated the downwind leg and landed on the runway.
Climbing to 2000 feet over the airfield, I contacted Nantes air traffic control to activate the second flight plan and turned back towards Rennes at FL035. As I passed Guer, I acted as a relay for a Samu (emergency medical service) helicopter that wanted to leave the Nantes airspace. It was too low to establish communication with the control tower. I rejoined the base leg and landed on runway 28. I taxied via Delta to reach the parking area of the flying club. A pleasant little flight under the stars has just ended. I thanked my instructor and wished him a good night, then I left the club.
