How long to do the NVFR?
 

Hey guys - How long do you think it would take to complete the NVFR rating - part time @ MB. Also, are there any texts / books recommended as background reading before commencing the course?

:ok:

ZENDJ
Can't tell you how long it will take you to complete NVFR, depends on a few factors, general flying experience etc., but would suggest as a reading text, Chris Markham's "Night Flying - The Australian Night VFR Rating Training Manual".

Very comprehensive and sells for around $40 at the pilot shop at Moorabbin.

I agree with haveagutful.
Chris Markham's book is very good and it is very useful to all NVFR students.

zendj,

Biggest problem in you area is the cloud base, can be weeks between flights if your part time calcelling every now and then due weather.

:ok:

I found it best to be on 'hot standby' that is, being ready to go every night during a period of sustained good weather. Takes good planning of course.

10 hours is required.

Part time makes it difficult. If you find a good instructor (pm me if you want a brilliant one based in melbourne but not MB) then try this:-

1. make sure the a/c & instructor are IFR
2. jump in, fly north VFR or IFR
3. do your 10 hours over 2 nights - spend the money on a motel in Bendigo or wherever
4. fly back and hope that the weather is ok the next night for your test

Worked a treat - we were able to legally fly VMC in non-NVFR forecast conditions until north of the divide after which all was hunky-dory. By having the instructor with you during the 'day off', you'll cover all of the theory - even better if you can take a laptop and practice ADF/VOR tracking/intercepts during the day.

UTR.

The length of time it will take you to do the NVFR rating will really only depend on weather. I had 9 flights in a row cancelled due to low cloud base, very frustrating, and that was fulltime. Because of that it took me many many many months! :p Also, take into consideration daylight saving, comes into effect soon, means you can't leave until about 8.30pm or so, can mean some long nights.

Don't buy any texts, waste of money, i don't know anyone who used them. The visual flight guide is all you need!

I completed my NVFR rating about one year ago at MB. It took me around 2 months, with cancellations happening occasionally. Waiting until spring when the weather improves a bit is a good idea. I did mine around April and had some beautiful nights. Night flying you should really enjoy. A good point made earlier is to have an instructor which can fly IFR!

Good Luck

Beautiful one day..........
 

Mate, if weather becomes a problem, catch a flight to SE Qld, (Sunshine Coast is ideal), because between around April and November we get about 8 nights a week where it is perfect NVFR weather !

Great way to escape the Melb winter for a few days as well.

Heading interstate for a well pre-planned week isn't a bad idea. I had endless Nav cancellations in Sydney and 3 cancellations with a testing officer who didn't like flying at night anyway...

Get it nailed before the long summer evenings kick in, despite the night hours instructors prefer not to hang around for hours waiting for nightfall.

How it used to be
 

In January 1970, Night VFR ratings were handed out to a group of Australian pilots by DCA Examiners of Airmen who met a unique, unofficial requirement without a test. javascript:smilie(':D')
big grinThey had to have flown from London to Adelaide in less than a week. (try doing that in a light aircraft without night flying.) By the way, there just happened to be a race from England to Australia starting from Gatwick on 18 December 1969. About 60 aircraft made it within the time limit.

Hi guys, I have just passed my Night VFR rating a couple of nights ago and it took me about 2 and half months to get through. I agree with En-Rooter in regards to being prepared to go every night if the weather suits, as it wouldnt really take that long to do( 6 or 7 fights). It can be frustrating but thats GA at times. Just be patient and you'll get there. Besides the view is great up there!

Enjoy.