Night rating course
EASA Night Rating Course
Night Ratings can only be scheduled during the winter months, between end of October when the clocks go back, until end of March. In summer it is NOT possible to arrange a Night rating (NVFR) course
Course Duration: Two (2) nights flying
If the privileges of a PPL are to be exercised under VFR at night the pilot shall hold a night rating.
The Night Rating (NR) is a natural next step after completing your PPL(A) course to make your hour building more enjoyable and it can be endorsed to your LAPL and Private Pilots License (PPL).
A night rating extends the privileges of a PPL(A) holder by allowing a pilot to fly at night (after sunset) while still exercising visual flight rules (VFR) i.e. while flying in Visual Meteorological Conditions (VMC).
If you intend to become a professional pilot, the night rating qualification is a mandatory requirement for the IR(A) and CPL(A).
Pre-Entry Requirements
To start the Night rating course, you must hold/have a:
- Valid Class 2 medical certificate, with NO colour blindness limitation.
- PPL(A), or be working towards a PPL and have completed all PPL flight training syllabus exercises.
- Valid Single-Engine Piston (land) rating
To include a night qualification with the PPL, five (5) hours of night training is required, which may be included as the last five (5) hours of your PPL course, but it must be in addition to the 25 hours of dual and 10 hours of solo flying, and providing all PPL exercises have been completed.
LAPL holders, before completing the training at night, shall have completed the basic instrument flight training required for the issue of the PPL.
Night Rating Training
The Night Rating flight training course is outlined in AMC1 FCL.810(a) and shall include:
- Theoretical knowledge instruction
- 5 hours practical flight training under supervision
Theoretical Knowledge Training
There is a little theoretical study as part of the course and it is included. There is, however, no written exam for the Night Rating because all the theory, rules and regulations will have been covered in the initial PPL theory courses; Air Law, ATC procedures, and Operational Procedures.
The theoretical knowledge syllabus is given in AMC1 FCL.810(a) and should cover the revision or explanation of:
- Night VMC minima
- Rules about airspace control at night and facilities available
- Rules about aerodrome ground, runway, and obstruction lighting
- Aircraft navigation lights and collision avoidance rules
- Physiological aspects of night vision and orientation
- Dangers of disorientation at night
- Dangers of weather deterioration at night
- Instrument systems or functions and errors
- Instrument lighting and emergency cockpit lighting systems
- Map marking for use under cockpit lighting
- Practical navigation principles
- Radio navigation principles
- Planning and use of safety altitude
- Danger from icing conditions, as well as from avoidance and escape manoeuvres
The theoretical training is integrated with the flight training so maximum benefit is gained from time spent in the air.
Night Flying Training
According to EASA.FCL.810 and AMC1 FCL.810(a) the Night rating course shall comprise at least 5 hours of flight time in the appropriate aircraft category at night, including at least: -
- 5 hours of flight time at night, including:
- 4 hours of dual instruction, including 1 hour of cross-country navigation with at least one (1) dual cross-country flight of at least 50 km (27 NM); and
- 1 hour solo flight, which must include 5 solo takeoffs with 5 full stop landings.
Fly EPT Spain provides 5 hours of practical flight training at night with a flight instructor in a Single Engine Piston (SEP) aircraft. You will complete night circuits, navigation and cover emergencies.
We usually complete a night rating training course in 2+ nights either at Menorca-San Luis aerodrome (LESL) or Reus Airport (REU / LERS) on the mainland. Very few airfields are equipped for general aviation night flying training so, to make the course cost effective, try and combine the Night course with some cross country which you can log as P1 to fly to Menorca / Reus.
You will learn how to prepare a Night flight, what is the minimum equipment required and how to handle the airplane during night. The training syllabus involves flying with an instructor reviewing all the basic flight manoeuvres at night that were learnt during the PPL(A) course e.g. steep turns, stalls and upset recovery where you will learn to recover from any situation with partially reduced visual references, as well as covering how to handle emergencies at night. You will then enter the circuit and review takeoff and landing procedures. In the dual-cross country flight you will learn how to navigate at night with visual references, radio-navigation equipment and GPS. The last hour will be a supervised 1-hour solo flying five (5) circuits that must include 5 takeoffs and 5 full stop landings.
Duration of course
Applicants shall complete a night rating training course within a 6 month period, starting from the first training flight to finish, and it shall be completed at a DTO or an ATO, in order to exercise the privileges of a LAPL or a PPL for aeroplanes or TMGs under VFR at night.
Test
There is no flight test and no examination at the end of the night rating course
Night Rating Validity
Once endorsed on your licence, the night rating is non-expiring. It has lifetime validity
There are no revalidation or renewal requirements
Carriage of Passengers at Night
To carry passengers at night, you must comply with the night experience requirement of FCL.060(b)(2) which states that a pilot shall not operate an aircraft in commercial air transport or carry passengers as PIC at night unless s/he:
- has carried out in the preceding 90 days at least 1 takeoff, approach and landing at night as a pilot flying in an aircraft of the same type or class or an FFS representing that type or class
OR
- holds a valid IR
So, if you do NOT hold a valid IR, if you are outside night recency, and if you want to carry passengers, you only need to complete circuit refresher training at night, to ensure that you have completed one (1) takeoff and one (1) full stop landing at night, in the last 90 days. Now you have regained your night recency
Course Quality
All pilot training courses conducted by Fly EPT Spain are certified, approved and accepted by all European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) member states, as well as by all states that recognize and accept EASA provisions and regulations.
Upon completion of the night rating course, pilots can apply for a night rating endorsement on their EASA Part-FCL licenses.
Aircraft Fleet certified for Night VFR flight
The TECNAM P2002-JF is certified for Night flight.
The following Fly EPT Spain fleet are approved for Night flight: EC-NZS + PH-EPT + F-HFGX
NOT currently approved: PH-IGY
Price
Check price here
References
CAP 804
Night Flying Manual and Syllabus by R D Campbell
Regulation 2018/1139 AMC and GM
Air Navigation Order (ANO)
AIR PILOT'S MANUAL: Vol # 5 – Radio Navigation & Instrument Flying - by Trevor Thom
UK CAA Communication - Safety Directive, Safety Notice, Information Notice, Skywise
UK CAA Night Rating for aeroplanes
Advisory Circular AC 61-05v1.1 - Night VFR rating
How can I apply for a Night Rating (A) Issuance?
Your night rating will be granted upon satisfactory completion of the training, upon application with your EASA state’s licencing authority.
The night rating can be applied for at the same time as the issue of a PPL. The applicant, however, must have completed the night rating course requirements as an additional 5 hours course to the PPL.
What documents to submit
To apply online for a night rating to be added to your licence, you will be asked to upload the following documents:
- Night rating course completion certificate
- Certified copy of your licence, including the certificate of revalidation page
- Certified copy of your logbook pages showing your night flying experience
- Copy of your class 1 or 2 valid medical certificate
- Copy of Part-ORA ATO or DTO approval certificate
To apply for a Night rating to:
EASA
- To endorse a Part-FCL licence, for Austro Control, use: Night Rating (A) - Issuance; the latest form can be downloaded here
- Spain's AESA (EASA) use form: F-DLA-SOL-02 Application for General Aviation Licenses and Ratings can be found here
UK CAA
FAQ - Night Rating
Will I pass the course?
Although there is no examination and no flight test, you will be required to reach a satisfactory standard as decided by the Instructor. The exercises of the night rating flight syllabus should be repeated, as necessary, until the student achieves a safe and competent standard.
If you would like to read Night Rating topics, check this website
What is the Night Rating Course syllabus
Are their any medical restrictions for the night rating course?
The applicant must hold at least a class 2 medical certificate and have passed a colour sight test. Colour Blindness will preclude you from obtaining a night rating. Your class 1 or 2 medical certificate must have no restrictions on night flying imposed due to colour blindness.
Can I fly in weather at night?
No - When you fly at night it is important that you do continue to fly in VMC with good visibility and not in cloud.
A night rating allows a pilot to fly at night exercising visual flight rules (VFR). If a pilot wishes to fly at night using instrument flight rules (IFR) they are also required to have a valid instrument rating (IR).
What licences can I endorse a night rating on to?
A night rating for aeroplanes can be endorsed on a NPPL, LAPL, SPL or PPL.
What is the definition of night flying?
Night is defined as 30 minutes after sunset until 30 minutes before sunrise and the night rating qualification allows you to fly after sunset.
How long will the Night Rating course take?
Most people will complete the 5 hour flying course over 2-3 nights. Of course this depends on ability, aptitude, personal commitment and weather. The night rating must be completed within six (6) months or the training has to be repeated.
How much will it cost?
Fly EPT Spain offers a fixed price for the Night rating course, but excludes landing fees. Check current price here. The fixed price assumes you will reach the required standard within the 5 hours which, almost always, everyone does. Additional training time is charged accordingly pro-rata.
Where can I find the Night VFR flight rules in the regulations?
The basic rules for flying at night are contained in each country’s AIP
In Spain, you can check the latest ENR 1 section: General Rules and Procedures, under:
- Spain; ENR 1.2 - Visual Flight Rules, under title: VFR FLIGHTS BY NIGHT TIME
Here's a summary of VFR flights by Night time, according to Spain AIP:
Flights according to VFR may be conducted at night time providing the following requirements are all met:
1) If leaving the vicinity of an aerodrome ATZ, a flight plan must be filed
2) Flights shall establish and maintain 2-way continuous air-ground radio communication on the appropriate ATS channel.
3) The pilot shall maintain continuous sight of the ground surface.
4) Minimum flight altitude within the airport ATZ is 1,300 ft AGL; and
Flying in the circuit minimum 1,000 ft AGL with minimum 8 km of visibility.
5) Except when necessary for take-off and landing, an en-route VFR night flight must be planned at least 1,000 ft above the highest obstacle within 8 km of the estimated position of the aircraft, or 2,000 ft while over high ground or in mountainous areas, and not below the minimum flight altitude established by the State whose territory is overflown (which may be more restrictive), which ever is higher. For planning purposes, it is recommended to use IFR airway routes which also include a minimum en-route flight altitude. The en-route charts can be found in the AIP ENR 6.1.
6) Distance from cloud and visibility minima: The lowest minimum cloud layer for en-route flight must be at least 3,000 ft and minimum VMC visibility at least 8 km. So the METAR should be, or better than: METAR 8000 OVC030
7) Regardless of whether you fly at night from a controlled or uncontrolled airport, you must have filed a flight plan. In case an uncontrolled aerodrome is used, AFIS or information to known traffic (RADIO) must be provided.
8) For en-route flights, fuel and oil supply must be sufficient to fly to the point of intended landing, considering wind and weather, and arrive with 45 minutes (night) thereafter, as opposed to 30 minutes (day). No alternate airport is required.
For more information see AIP ENR 2.5
Night VFR instrument and equipment requirements:
a) Bring a torch / flash light (and spare batteries, or a second torch) for every flight crew member. Head band style torches are popular in GA.
b) In addition to minimum equipment required for day VFR flight (A TOMATO FLAMES), for minimum equipment that shall be installed and operationally required for Night VFR flights, remember FLAPS ET:
- Fuses; all circuit breakers are IN i.e. No CB’s popped out (Check spare CB's are on board)
- Lights i.e. Landing lights, Dome light, Torch, Instrument lights, Position (NAV) light (wing tips, red to port, green to starboard, white astern (aft))
- At least one (1) Anti-Collision light; either red rotating beacon (must always be ON whenever the engine is running) OR white flashing strobe light (In practice, all required lighting should be checked and functioning)
- Pitot Heat
- Source of Power; Generator / battery / alternator must all be functioning properly. No failures.
- ELT
- Transponder + Torch
Recommended reading:
EASA Part-FCL Night Flying Manual & Syllabus and Student Record of Training
Buy the eBook here
EASA Night rating (A) course Training Videos
