The Night Qualification for helicopters allows you to fly at night, this means you can fly above the lights of towns of cities or into the darkness of the vast countryside. Either way the challenge of flying in night conditions is what draws pilots to this qualification

Officially speaking the night qualification allows one to fly 30 minutes after sunset and up to 30 minutes before sunrise. This is particularly useful for UK winters when the days are short as it removes a big restriction on your potential flying time.

Before you can begin a night qualification course, you must have the following experience:

• 100 hours flying time after issue of your PPL(H).
• 60 hours of pilot in command time.
• 20 hours of cross country navigation.

The CAA set out strict requirements for the issue of a night rating, these requirements are made up as follows:

• 5 hours of theoretical knowledge tuition.
• 10 hours of dual instrument tuition, IR(A) holders only require 5 hours.
• 5 hours of night flying, 3 hours must include dual tuition. 5 night circuits flown solo with each circuit including a takeoff and landing.
• Only six months to complete the course from start to finish.

The Night Qualification will be valid for all helicopter types on the holders licence.

The holder will only be able to fly passengers at night if they have completed 3 night takeoffs and landings within the previous 90 days.

Private Pilots Licence Helicopter PPL(H)

Commercial Pilots Licence Helicopter CPL(H)

Helicopter Night Rating NR(H)

Helicopter Instrument Rating IR(H)

Helicopter Instructor Rating