Night flying from a carrier is especially demanding because the airfield itself moves. The prewar Fleet Air Arm had preserved a core of pilots trained for night work who could help instruct wartime entrants as the service expanded. Even so, being certified to take off and land at night did not mean a pilot had practiced advanced night-fighter interception. Building that tactical proficiency consumed extra sorties and placed more strain on experienced crews and maintainers.
Notable Point · 2:21:57-2:23:54
Night carrier qualification was not the same as combat proficiency
Fleet Air Arm pilots could be cleared for night takeoffs and landings without mastering advanced night-fighter interception.