Daylight savings time came at 2:00am this morning. Spring is on its way and the 10 day panel on weather.com says we should have high temperatures squarely in the mid 40's this week. This is significant because we can go FLYING AFTER WORK WITH NO PREHEAT!
Clock changes are times for increased vigilence when flying. Considering it will be light later, we'll fly more. Chances are we'll get back after dark and encounter other aircraft flying after dark who's pilots may not be proficient at night flying.
There is a period when the clocks change we lose track of the time and sunset and get stuck out when the sun is going down. In Danbury with Runway 26 being the predominant runway in use this means turning final and having the setting sun in your face resulting in moments of near zero visibility. Add in some aged plexiglass and the eyes reduced ability to when the light levels drop and you can have a potential nightmare. Regardless of what you fly everyone should be sitting up looking for traffic.
I vividly remember occasions where I've been cut off by traffic who saw lights and a low wing and started following the wrong airplane when they were supposed to be following me. It's easy to do. Flying east into diminishing daylight, heading towards darkness on downwind, losing sight of your traffic ahead and spotting the wrong plane on base or final. Our Confused Captain turns base to final further changing the visibility dynamic. The next thing you know you've got number 3 in front of number 2 following number 1.
If I'm alone and the sun is setting sometimes I'll hang out in the practice area or slow it down 20 miles out and give the airport a chance to clear out a bit. Practicing slow flight or just slowing it down to 65-70 is something no one wants to do but we all can use the good experience. Letting the sun go down completely is another way you to eliminate glare.
After a few weeks everyone gets used to the sun's new schedule and it gets back to normal. Getting night current is always good experience and if you're uncomfortable with it, take an instructor with you. Instructors are cheap insurance that keep you and your shiny airplane from becoming part of the Nall Report
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