Night
Night rating
Not a licence on its own. An add-on to a PPL or NPPL so you can fly after dark.
Night flying is a different skill, and a useful one when the day runs long. The rating lets you act as pilot in command at night.
The flying
A minimum of 5 hours at night. A daylight instrument refresher beforehand helps, and many people fly more than the minimum. The 5 hours must include:
- 3 hours dual, including 1 hour of navigation
- 5 take-offs and full-stop landings at night as pilot in command
There is no separate theory exam and no flight skills test. You study and brief with your instructor, then apply to the CAA to add the rating. It can be trained during a PPL course.
Staying current
To carry passengers you need 3 take-offs and 3 landings in the previous 90 days. Without a current instrument rating, one of those take-offs and landings must have been at night.