NavList:
A Community Devoted to the Preservation and Practice of Celestial Navigation and Other Methods of Traditional Wayfinding
Re: Sunset from a legal point of view
From: Brian Walton
Date: 2023 Aug 26, 22:48 -0700
From: Brian Walton
Date: 2023 Aug 26, 22:48 -0700
Bill,Dave,
I posted a lengthy report on NavList some years ago. Whilst flying a Tigermoth over the English Channel during a total eclipse, with navlights on, longitude was derived from timing second and third contacts, and latitude by the symmetry of the aurora. An alround horizon was visible, as was a planet. It was a good job cockpit lighting wasn't mandated, and no instruments were visible. No sextant was necessary.
Flying eastwards, the length of the eclipse was extended by 12 seconds. I did not log extra night flying to go with the 7,000 hrs night command I already had...
Brian Walton
