Night Rating

Privileges

The holder of a Night Rating, is eligible to exercise the privileges of his/her EASA PPL(A), as Pilot-In-Command, in VFR conditions at night.

General

(a) Applicants shall complete a training course within a period of up to 6 months, at an Approved Training Organization (ATO) or a Declared Training Organization (DTO). The 6 months start from the first training flight.

(b) The ATO or DTO should issue a certificate of satisfactory completion of the instruction that can be used for licence endorsement.

Flight Training

The flight training course shall comprise at least 5 hours of flight time in aeroplanes at night, including:

(a) at least 3 hours of dual instruction, including at least 1 hour of cross-country navigation with at least 1 dual cross-country flight of at least 50 km; and
(b) 5 solo take-offs and 5 solo full-stop landings

The exercises of the night rating flight syllabus should be repeated as necessary until the student achieves a safe and competent standard.

(1) In all cases, exercises 4 to 7 of the night rating flight syllabus should be completed in an aeroplane.

(2) For exercises 1 to 3, up to 50 % of the required flight training may be completed in an Flight Simulator Training Device (Aeroplanes) – FSTD(A). However, each item of exercises 1 to 3 should be completed in an aeroplane in flight.

(3) Starred items (*) should be completed in simulated IMC and may be completed in daylight.

(4) The flying exercises should comprise:

(i) exercise 1:

(A) revise basic manoeuvres when flying by sole reference to instruments*;
(B) explain and demonstrate transition from visual flight to instrument flight*; and
(C) explain and revise recovery from unusual attitudes by sole reference to instruments*;

(ii) exercise 2:

explain and demonstrate the use of radio navigation aids when flying by sole reference to instruments, to include position finding and tracking*;

(iii) exercise 3:

explain and demonstrate the use of radar assistance*;

(iv) exercise 4:

(A) explain and demonstrate night take-off techniques;
(B) explain and demonstrate night circuit techniques;
(C) explain and demonstrate night approaches with or without visual approach aids; and
(D) practise take-offs, circuits, as well as approaches and landings;

(v) exercise 5:

explain and demonstrate night emergency procedures including:

(A) simulated engine failure (to be terminated with recovery at a safe altitude);
(B) simulated engine failure at various phases of flight;
(C) simulated inadvertent entry to IMC (not on base leg or final approach);
(D) internal and external lighting failure; and
(E) other malfunctions and emergency procedures, as required by the AFM;

(vi) exercise 6:

solo night circuits; and

(vii) exercise 7:

(A) explain and demonstrate night cross-country techniques; and
(B) practise night cross-country dual flight and optionally supervised solo to a satisfactory standard.

Theoretical Knowledge Training

The theoretical knowledge syllabus should cover the revision or explanation of:

(1) night VMC minima;
(2) rules about airspace control at night and facilities available;
(3) rules about aerodrome ground, runway, and obstruction lighting;
(4) aircraft navigation lights and collision avoidance rules;
(5) physiological aspects of night vision and orientation;
(6) dangers of disorientation at night;
(7) dangers of weather deterioration at night;
(8) instrument systems or functions and errors;
(9) instrument lighting and emergency cockpit lighting systems;
(10) map marking for use under cockpit lighting;
(11) practical navigation principles;
(12) radio navigation principles;
(13) planning and use of safety altitude; and
(14) danger from icing conditions, as well as from avoidance and escape manoeuvres.

Skill Test

There is no test or examination at the end of the training course

Revalidation/Renewal

There are no revalidation/renewal requirement.

Night Recency Experience/Carriage of Passengers

A pilot shall not operate an aircraft to carry passengers, as Pilot-In-Command (PIC) at night, unless he/she:

(a) has carried out in the preceding 90 days, at least 1 take-off, approach and landing at night as a pilot flying in an aircraft of the same type or class or a Full Flight Simulator (FFS) representing that type or class;

or

(b) holds an Instrument Rating (IR)