If a PPL is doing a Night Rating then all flying he/she is doing for the issue of that rating is as P/UT, except where they are authorised by the instructor to fly solo to get the 5 solo full stops. Whilst carrying out all this training, including the solo part, they are to be regarded as a student not a PPL. And hence they require to be supervised and authorised as such. IE the night rating student cannot self authorise any of the flying - the FI has to sign the authorisation for the flight in the tech log.
The points made about maintaining VMC, fuel planning, performance/weight and balance are very valid. They are the responsibility of the aircraft commander as laid down in the relevant sections of the ANO.
The club environment is one thing but you also have those who own aircraft privately as individuals or in groups who are going to fly outside the auspices of a club. I have seen all manner of things going all with group aircraft in my limited time as an FI, but they are privately owned and operated and the will be flown and operated as the group and individual P1's see fit and FI's and flying clubs around the airfield cannot be expected to have any sort of duty of care over what they do. All we can do is offer advice, which is very often not wanted, when we as FI's see things going on that shouldn't be.
Last edited by timzsta; 4th May 2008 at 19:53.