Cruising at Night

The air was quite warm tonight with what appeared to be an inversion.. many fires and lots of smoke being capped in and hanging over the cities of Pietermaritzburg and Durban where the Spingboks took on Wales defeating them in an international rugby match. Taking off from Durban we could see the huge traffic jam of fans getting to the Stadium and on our return in the dark we were in time for the closing minutes of the game and defeat for the Welsh team. Go Bokke Go!

To keep current with my night rating I need at least 3 take-offs and landings every 90 days, so I did some circuits in Pietermaritzburg, each landing becoming darker as the sun had set on our way there. Llewellyn waited for me on the ground whilst I perfected my landings, then joined me for the flight home in the darkness. The lights of the homes are amazing, but the darkness is crazy.. not even Alverstone tower in the dark of the mountain could be seen. Stunning evening to be out and the full moon was rising as we landed. 

Sunset as we fly from Durban to Pietermaritzburg

Ready to practice some landings in the gathering dark at Pietermaritzburg

The computer EFIS and GPS in the dimmed night mode is still quite bright

Durban Harbour and the Bluff as we fly over Cooper's Lighthouse

Llewellyn (left) and Dave fly to Virginia

The red cabin and headlamp lighting is optimal for night vision

Pietermaritzburg Airport