NFN
I'll take a 100 of the IF helo's you can supply that can lift 250kg and go 1000km's @ R400K.
CSI Piloot
Night flying is great. There are those that do and those that don't. Personal pref. Flying at night has additional risks, but can be done in a ML reg'd 3axis, but currently not in a trike for some reason? There are Jabi's, Technams & stings being used by schools for night flying training. No big deal. If you loose the donkey it
& I don't fly to Durb's at night for eg. (Water & rough terrain is possibly not a good idea at night in a single, but there are those that do it successfully every night)
On controlled airspace, a transponder is only necessary if you fly in the TMA. It is possible to route around or under every TMA unless your destination is that controlled field. You also get charged for it. You can land at Smuts in a microlight without a transponder. (They don't like it, discourange it and it will cost a couple bucks, but it can be done). In big smoke there are PLENTY alternatives with lights in close proximity. FALA, FAGM, FAGC, FAVV, FAWB, FABS, FARG, FAPS etc... I use night flying plenty... FAVB has no lights, but guy has made a set of LED's running on bike batterties which they use weekly for the air ambulance service., Take 10mins to put out and 10 mins to retieve. It can be done.... In days gone buy the use of sand/parrafine filled paint or even beer cans or 2l coke bottles with candle in them gave enough light for a landing, but these need to be practiced and require ground crew. As confidence grows it will become evident if it is for you or not. Some get spooked. On a moonless night taking off in the bush can be daunting task. Once you are clear of the runway lights there is no horison and no ground lights. I know 1 PPL with big hrs who took off 18 at FAVB did one circuit and never flew again... (K@k'd himself when there was no horison)
Agree on the WX.
On Friday I routed around the WX, and even if I was IF rated in IF plane I would have gone same route (Round it). ATC were great in assisting with uptodated WX every 15mins and suggested routings based on observed WX on ground at various stations on ground... There were imbedded CB's with unltd tops which can bring down even a Jumbo.... IF rating is not license to fly, it simply further training to make the go/no go decision... (Maybe similar to driving in a hail storm. Just because the speed limit is 120km's does not mean you go 120
)
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