John Cox| Special to USA TODAY
Question: How does it feel to be in the co*ckpit during a night flight when it's completely dark outside and you can't see anything?
— Deep, Norfolk, Va.
Answer: Flying at night can be beautiful, but on a moonless night over the ocean when there is nothing to see, pilots concentrate on the internal sights within the flight deck. There is no difference in the feeling.
Q: Is it true that night flights are calmer than the ones at noon, especially in tropical climates?
— Fred Joseph, Dar es Salaam, Tanzania
A: Afternoon heating can cause thunderstorms if the atmospheric conditions are right. While thunderstorms can occur at night, there are fewer of them.
Yes, night flights tend to be less turbulent thanmidafternoon flights due to atmospheric heating.
More: Ask the Captain: Is turbulence worse at certain times of year?
Q: Is it easier to fly at night or day?
— Jill Smith, no location given
A: It is probably easier to fly during the day due to the improved visibility. However, a peaceful night flight is most enjoyable.
Q: What's the prettiest city from the air at night?
— Joe Henson, Greenville S.C.
A: Hong Kong. It is a sea of neon surrounded by the black ocean.
Q: How rare is the phenomenon St. Elmo's Fire?
— Alecx Rawson, Garden Valley, Idaho
A: It is pretty common. I have seen St. Elmo’s fire hundreds of times. At night, watching the liquid “fire” run up and down the windscreen is fascinating.
St. Elmo’s fire is luminescent discharge of static electricity visible when the static charge builds up as the airplane flies through precipitation. It can take various forms, sometimes miniature lightning and other times a glowing blue liquid plasma.
More: Ask the Captain: What do you miss most about being an airline pilot?
Q: I have noticed that aircraft landing lights seem to be flashing. Why is that done?
— TJ, Kansas City
A: Pulsing landing lights are used to help reduce the risk of bird strikes. There is some research data that shows pulsing lights are easier for birds to see.
Q: Is night air travel safe?
— Moses Bassie, Sierra Leone
A: Aviation has never been safer. This includes night flying.
John Cox is a retired airline captain with US Airways and runs his own aviation safety consulting company, Safety Operating Systems.
