Skip to content
View in the app

A better way to browse. Learn more.

The AVSIM Community

A full-screen app on your home screen with push notifications, badges and more.

To install this app on iOS and iPadOS
  1. Tap the Share icon in Safari
  2. Scroll the menu and tap Add to Home Screen.
  3. Tap Add in the top-right corner.
To install this app on Android
  1. Tap the 3-dot menu (⋮) in the top-right corner of the browser.
  2. Tap Add to Home screen or Install app.
  3. Confirm by tapping Install.

Spotting Aircraft at Night

Featured Replies

Is anyone able to see aircraft at night?

 

Last night I was flying from BWI to GSO and never could see aircraft around me. I have five AI assigned in Aircraft & Situations and I know they were out there from TCAS.

 

Maybe MSFS was overly realistic with beacon and strobe lights since this is my first use of XP10. Now on the ground while watching aircraft taxi and takeoff I do see beacon and stobe lights, but once airborne they quickly fade away. Doesn't take long to loose sight of them.

  • Author

So, no one has a problem spotting and avoiding aircraft in-flight?

Hi Walt,

 

I am the wrong guy to ask about this, since I never fly with AI aircraft.

 

The ability to see aircraft lights would vary greatly dependent on visibility, but also aspect and what kind of lights shine your way. I would guestimate on a clear day you would be able to spot position lights and rotating beacons to about 5NM, strobes maybe a bit further, landing lights pointing at you a lot further.

 

Are the AI aircraft maybe turning their lights off in flight? Try to follow one to make sure they don´t. It wouldn´t surprise me if there was some quirky behaviour - the whole AI aircraft thing in XP10 is - let me say it before someone else does - not up to par yet.

 

Jan

  • Author

Hi Jan,

 

Thank you for the reply. Visibility shouldn't have been a problem since I had selected Clear/No Clouds and saw stars all around during the flight. You might be right regarding the aircraft switching off lights. I'll try your idea of following an aircraft and see what happens.

Create an account or sign in to comment

Account

Navigation

Search

Search

Configure browser push notifications

Chrome (Android)
  1. Tap the lock icon next to the address bar.
  2. Tap Permissions → Notifications.
  3. Adjust your preference.
Chrome (Desktop)
  1. Click the padlock icon in the address bar.
  2. Select Site settings.
  3. Find Notifications and adjust your preference.