Night Ratings
Introduction
Available Countries
United States of America
The objective of the night rating course is to qualify Private Pilot Licence (PPL) holders to exercise the privileges of the licence at night under VFR (Visual Flight Rules). Night rating allows you to fly at night as well as being a requirement for commencing your Commercial Pilot Licence (CPL) Course of training.
Entry Requirements
- ▹ Applicants must hold a valid PPL / CPL Licence
- ▹ Medical certificate relevant to license
Canada
The Night Rating allows you to fly all single/multi engine aircraft that are classified as non-high performance during night hours under Visual Flight Rules and Visual Meteorological Conditions.
A Private Pilot Licence and a Category 1 or 3 medical are the minimum requirements for Night Rating endorsement.
Course Outline
- • 20 hours of flight time
- • 5 Solo hours at night
- • 5 Dual hours at night
- • 10 Dual instrument hours
- • 5 hrs of Flight Briefings
- • 10 Solo take-offs & landings
Training Overview
The Night Rating program is separated into two paths: ground instruction and in-flight instruction. While there are no written or in-flight Transport Canada examinations, we will furnish you with the required background knowledge, skill, and understanding to successfully meet all company and Transport Canada requirements for the rating. There is no formal Ground school for this program.
Age Requirements
A minimum age of seventeen (17) years old is required for a Night Rating.
Medical Requirements
The minimum category required for the Private Pilot Licence is a Category 3; however students seeking careers as Commercial Pilots should obtain a Category 1 Medical Certificate.
*Students must not have any restrictions to their medicals pertaining to colour deficiencies.
Training Requirements
An applicant for a night rating shall have acquired in aeroplanes a minimum of 20 hours of pilot flight time which shall include:
(i) 10 hours of night flight time including:
- a. 5 hours dual flight time, including 2 hours of cross-country flight time
- b. 5 hours solo flight time, including 10 takeoffs, circuits and landings
(ii) 10 hours of Dual instrument time
* Credit for a maximum of 5 hours of the 10 hours of dual instrument time may be given for instrument ground time
* If 5 hours dual instrument were obtained in your Private training the requirement then drops to 5 hours dual instrument training.
Related Topics Covered
Skill Requirements
Within the 12 months preceding the date of application for a night rating, an applicant shall have successfully completed a qualifying flight under the supervision of a Transport Canada Inspector or a qualified Flight Instructor by demonstrating the level of skill specified in the Flight Instructor Guide-Aeroplane.
New Zealand
Although a night rating is not a requirement for the PPL or CPL license, it is a great way to improve your flying skills. The CPL night rating qualification is also a requirement if you wish to work as a frost pilot during the spring months.
Entry Requirements
- • Hold a Private Pilot Licence
- • Medical certificate relevant to license
- • Be at least 18 years old
Pre-Training Requirements
Students must have completed at least two hours instrument flight time, which includes the following instrument flight manoeuvres, before they can undertake night flight training:
Straight and level flight:
Maintain heading to a required accuracy of ± 5 degrees, ± 100 feet altitude and in balance.
Medium & Rate One turns:
At least 180 degrees turns left and right, in balance, to within ± 10 degrees of pre-selected roll-out heading with a maximum altitude variation of ± 100 feet.
Climbing and descending:
To preselected altitudes. Level flight to be re-established at the preselected altitude ± no more than 100 feet.
Unusual attitude:
Prompt and correct recovery from unusual attitudes.
South Africa
This qualification has the same privileges as a PPL with the added ability to fly during night times in reduced visibility. You will learn to utilize and rely on the instruments in the aircraft without being restricted when planning and executing a flight.
Requirements for Night Rating (NR)
- • You must hold a valid Private Pilot License
- • You will need to complete 10 hrs Dual Instrument Flying
- • At least 5 take-offs and landings must be done by night
- • A night cross-country flight of at least 150nm with 2 full stop landings at 2 separate airfields away from base must be done
- • You must pass a technical examination of the aircraft chosen to train on
- • You must pass a student pilot exam
- • Successfully pass an online examination
- • Pass a practical night/IF flight test with a Grade II Instructor
Training Benefits
This rating provides you with enhanced flying capabilities and significantly improves your overall flight planning flexibility, allowing you to fly in conditions that would otherwise restrict VFR-only pilots.
United Arab Emirates
Entry Requirements
- • High school or equivalent as minimum education
- • Good command of the English language
- • Minimum age 17 year to enrol for the course and 18 years to obtain a licence
- • Class I Medical certificate by a UAE GCAA physician
- • All students required by law to get security clearance prior to commencing flight training in the U.A.E
- • Personal interview with the flying school enrolment committee
Security Clearance
Sunsea with its partner flying school will apply for your security clearance when all your documents with course application fee received.
France
Night Rating(A) allows you to fly during night time in Visual Meteorological Conditions (VMC). Flying VFR night is very different from flying VFR day and many pilots find it equally enjoyable. NR(A) is a requirement for IR(A) and CPL(A).
Entry Requirements
- • Must be at least 18 years old
- • Should hold at least an ICAO PPL or EASA Private Pilot License PPL(A) holder with valid Single Engine Piston SEP(A) qualification
- • Hold at least an EASA Class 2 medical certificate
Course Structure
- • 4 hours dual flight time
- • 1 hour solo flight time
Training Aircraft
Diamond DA40
Experience the Difference
Night flying offers a unique perspective and challenge. The serenity of flying under the stars combined with the technical precision required makes this rating both rewarding and essential for progressing in your aviation career.