Helicopter Training / Night Rating

In order to fly during the hours of darkness you will need to obtain a Night Qualification (often known as a Night Rating). This rating covers any helicopter types that you are licensed to fly. Night is defined as the starting 30 minutes after sunset and ending 30 minutes before sunrise.

Night flying must be conducted under VMC (Visual Meteorological Conditions), i.e. clear of cloud and in sight of surface illuminations.

Requirements to start a Night Qualification Course

• Pre-requisite experience: 100 hours of flight time in helicopters AFTER the issue of the PPL(H), including:
• 60 hours as Pilot in Command
• 20 hours cross country flying

The Night Qualification Course consists of

• 5 hours theoretical knowledge instruction
• 10 hours dual instrument flying. This instruction is in addition to any instrument instruction completed prior to the course
• 5 hours helicopter night training, including 3 hours of dual instruction and 5 solo night circuits. Each circuit shall include a take-off and landing

The course must be completed within 6 months.

If you would like more information on the Night Qualification, contact FAST Helicopters today, or pop along to either of our bases for a chat.