I am rather hoping to see a posting from Rolling Circle or Watford on this one.
Looking at the application forms and syllabus for the night rating it gives two impressions - depending on how you approach the course.
Hope somebody will agree or correct me.
If you already hold a PPL - or have already sat the PPL Skill Test - and do not have a night rating...according to the only application form I have ever seen....you need to log 20 hours of flight since the date that your application hit the desk at FCL in Gatwick.
THEN you can START doing the five hours of night training mentioned above. With regard to the instrument training that you mention, if you go this route you will need a minimum of five hours of instrument training before you apply for the night rating - which, rather strangely, means that in theory you could do the instrument training AFTER the five hours night training....even though that kinda defeats the object.
If you did any instrument training during your PPL course you can count a maximum of three hours of it towards the five hours needed.
Now - if you haven't yet finished training for the PPL, you are (by definition) on the JAA syllabus...which requires that you make up your mind as to whether you would like to fly in the dark or not...and add the extra five hours of night training to the course - so instead of a minimum of forty five hours for your daylight only PPL you would need a minimum of fifty hours for your day and night PPL.
If you go the second route - all instrument requirements (for night) are forgotten.
Now - I say again - I sincerely hope that Watford or Rolling Circle will respond with the correct answers....'cause I've wanted to know for some time.
It would be helpful if somebody could update the application forms.
<Edited for typos...now that the beer has worn off (human factors, lesson 1)>
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Hunting is bad!!
Support the right to arm Bears!!
[This message has been edited by Bear Cub (edited 10 February 2001).]