How long should you avoid bright white lights before a night flight?

To optimize your vision for a night flight, it is essential to allow time for your eyes to adapt to the darker environment. Bright white lights can significantly impact your night vision, causing temporary blindness and reducing your ability to see in low-light conditions.

The recommended duration for avoiding bright white lights before a night flight is typically around 30 minutes. This timeframe allows the eyes to adjust adequately, enhancing your ability to detect subtle changes in light and better perceive your surroundings. This adjustment period is crucial for maintaining situational awareness during nighttime operations.

The duration is based on physiological responses, where rod cells in the retina, which are responsible for vision in dim lighting, take time to become fully functional after exposure to bright light. A shorter time frame would not provide enough adaptation, while a longer time may be unnecessary and could waste valuable preparation time before flying.