Poems and Thoughts    by Frank Maurer

[Return to Poems and Thoughts index page]

Flying XII. Night Flying. During my flight training, I went through rigorous exercises Teaching me the various emergencies while flying at night. Considering all emergencies which might occur on the dark of night, I was confronted with the possibility of the lighting system failing. With no control panel lights, one cannot see the crucial landing speed. As we landed, the side window was opened to hear the wind speed. With that aid, coupled with the passing of the runway lights, One gets pretty accurate judgement of speed so as not to stall. THe next test entails no landing lights, making the runway just black. By judging the altitude using the runway lighting, One simply inches down, losing altitude, Until the wheels--if all goes well--ease softly onto the tarmac. The next challenge was to land with neither one--no panel nor landing lights! The pi;ot needs then to use runway lights, along with Listening to the passing wind through the open window, Continually creeping down to finally touching rubber to tarmac. After some practice, this seemingly impossible task Actually results in yet one more successful manoeuver Which ultimately ticks off another skill towards a possible emergency survival. Performing these exercises, one is truly living in a three-dimensional world ! Frank Maurer 8 March 2024 1600 Hours.