Night approaches and landings do have some advantages over daytime approaches, as the air is generally smoother and the disruptive effects of turbulence and excessive crosswinds are often absent. However, there are a few special considerations and techniques that apply to approaches at night. For example, when landing at night, especially at an unfamiliar airport, make the approach to a lighted runway and then use the taxiways to avoid unlighted obstructions or equipment.

Carefully controlled studies have revealed that pilots have a tendency to make lower approaches at night than during the day. This is potentially dangerous as you have a greater chance of hitting an obstacle, such as an overhead wire or fence, which are difficult to see.

It is good practice to make steeper approaches at night, thus increasing any obstacle clearance. Monitor your altitude and rate of descent using the altimeter.

Another tendency is to focus too much on the landing area and not pay enough attention to airspeed. If too much airspeed is lost, a settling-with-power condition may result. Maintain the proper attitude during the approach, and make sure you keep some forward airspeed and movement until close to the ground. Outside visual reference for airspeed and rate of closure may not be available, especially when landing in an unlighted area, so pay special attention to the airspeed indicator

Although the landing light is a helpful aid when making night approaches, there is an inherent disadvantage.

The portion of the landing area illuminated by the landing light seems higher than the dark area surrounding it. This effect can cause you to terminate the approach at too high an altitude, resulting in a settling-with-power condition and a hard landing.