Flying - Night Current Again!

So in keeping with my resolution to fly more, this evening I jumped in the plane.

The aircraft performance was outstanding with the -4 degree air.   Amazing climb and cruise performance, and I had to ease back the throttle a lot more than usual in the pattern as the plane just wanted to get up and go.

I left as the sun was setting and it was gorgeous out.  I headed to the northeast as the pattern was absolutely packed.  The wind was about 7 knots from 210 degrees. The sky was clear up to 12,000 feet which was a nice change from the overcast we've been having every other day I tried to fly this month.

 I climbed up to 5,500 effortlessly and maneuvered for a bit.

I then returned and reentered the pattern and did  3 landings after sundown that still counted as day landings and then it became night in terms of FAA regulations for night currency. 

Night has multiple meanings, and for night currency, night starts an hour after sundown.

I then got in the pattern and did 6 takeoffs and landings.  The wind had dropped to calm and flying at night was fun as all get out.

A few other planes were around, and they were much easier to see at night all lit up as they were.

 

The landings were smooth as silk.  I mean they were really, really good. 

A lot of fun was had and that was my first time flying solo at night, and my first time flying at night, period, in over a year.      

I should have done that earlier as I was overly cautious about night time flying solo and really shouldn't have been quite that concerned about it.  Nothing to it but to do it, and the landings at night were, if anything, easier than in the daytime.

I'm now current to carry passengers at night and I will maintain that currency and get to flying at night more often, because it is fun, and it's good to keep in practice.

That's 1.8 with .6 during the day and 1.2 at night with 3 daytime landings and 6 night time landings.