The Night Rating
Once the PPL has been obtained, one of the first ratings private pilots usually choose to add to it, is the Night Rating.
Permitting you to fly and land after sunset, the Night Rating allows you to not just enjoy the city lights below, but prevents that evening rush back to the airfield to land before the end of twilight. The views can be pretty spectacular on Guy Fawkes night, too!
The course comprises of both ground instruction in the form of extended briefings as well as flight training, however there is no written exam, and no practical test.
Course Structure
The course consists of 5 hours of flight instruction, 3 of which will be flown dual, 1 of which will be cross-country navigation with a flight of 50 nautical miles needing to be flown.
There is a 1 hour solo element of the course, in which you will need to complete 5 take-offs and full-stop landings.
Interested? We recommend starting off by taking a look at this book here.
Requirements
- To hold a private pilot's licence (although if desired, the Night Rating can be completed as part of the PPL course, by adding on the additional 5 hours of training and then applied for at the same time).
- To hold at least a Class 2 medical, with no night flying restriction.