Night Rating

For the privileges of the Private Pilots Licence to be exercised at night, a Night Rating is required.

Some of the most rewarding and spectacular flights are at night, especially when you are lucky enough to fly over a city that sparkles like Cambridge!

You may be a little apprehensive about flying at night, but in reality it simply combines the techniques of visual and instrument flying which you have already learnt, and is no more difficult than flying during daylight. The night rating is one of the most straightforward ratings to obtain, making it popular with newly qualified pilots.

Gain your rating in as little as 5 hours

This is normally a 5 hour course with a flexible syllabus.

The course consists of a minimum of 5 hours’ flight training (3 hours dual, including 1 hour cross-country navigation) plus 5 solo take-offs and full-stop landings.

The dual cross-country flight will be of at least 50 km (27nm) and there is no exam: your rating will be granted upon satisfactory completion of the training on application to the CAA.

Night is defined as 30 minutes after sunset until 30 minutes before sunrise and the course is likely to be spread across 6 flights.

Once granted, your night rating will remain valid for the duration of your licence. If you wish to carry passengers at night, you must have completed the appropriate number of both day and night time take offs and landings required by the CAA.