REF: Learning Night flying skills
.......good idea at least is go out every 90 days or so and do some pattern work in the dark...minimum...if it scares the hell out of u, take a co-pilot w/you for sure...
How about making that co-pilot you take a CFI....? At least until you are signed off and comfortable with night T & L and pattern work at a variety of airports. Why? If your not PROFICIENT at what you are doing, you should NOT carry passengers! Locally we had a marginal pilot that managed to get night current then took a friend from work while he practiced. Wooops! Stalled it out (C175) maybe 45-50 ft up and crashed onto the edge of the runway and really messed up his 'friends' feet and legs. I may push the edge of the envelope (a chicken-little) but I don't (much) risk some poor trusting soul that is depending on me.
Comments: This time 'he' had a x-wind, and 'he' was marginal all the way around-is the word from other pilots that had seen his 'normal' T & Ls.
Also I am aware that PPLs don't need a sign off, but if your smart, you'll get the instruction, and once you have the instruction, you might as well get the signature. If you happen to bend some metal, it looks good to the FAA folks and they have the discretion to make it a softer 'landing'.
YMMV
lc