Night flying - VFR or IFR etc.?

[Vee One...Rotate]

I've got it in my head that there's no such thing as VFR at night in the UK (regardless of whether the conditions are VMC, meaning, if this is the case, that IFR must apply) but I know that PPL holders can gain a night rating without being instrument-trained. So the apparent contradiction is - how can a PPL holder with no instrument privelages be subject to IFR? Either night flying is a special case or I've got something wrong.

Had a (very) quick look at LASORs etc. and couldn't find anything definitive. Can anyone step in to clear things up?

Cheers,

V1R

[mm_flynn]

Your first sentence is correct. There is no night VFR in the UK. However, a basic UK PPL allows one (without any significant instrument training) to fly according to the instrument flight rules (ie. IFR) outside of controlled airspace. However, when you look at the licence limitations, the PPL has to be in sight of the surface and with 3000m viz (broadly in conditions where he can navigate visually). Furthermore the IFRs and VFRs become functionally very similar with the PPL met limitations. The main difference is that quadrantals are mandatory for IFR and recommended for VFR (above TA)

[jb5000]

Don't forget that a bog standard PPL can fly 'under IFR' in uncontrolled airspace, but that the conditions must be VMC.

So usual 1000ft obstacle clearance, quadrantal rules outside controlled airspace etc. but you have to be in VMC conditions.

This means at night you can take off and fly under IFR in uncontrolled airspace but you must be VMC - and therefore you can navigate using standard VFR techniques if you want to.

The implication is that you must be under Special VFR if you want to take off and land in (or transit through) controlled airspace (as a bog standard PPL *cannot* fly IFR in controlled airspace - you need an IMC or IR if you want to do that). Therefore the conditions must be sufficient (10km visibility).

[mm_flynn]

Originally Posted by jb5000

Don't forget that a bog standard PPL can fly 'under IFR' in uncontrolled airspace, but that the conditions must be VMC.
So usual 1000ft obstacle clearance, quadrantal rules outside controlled airspace etc. but you have to be in VMC conditions.

Not strictly true.

1. Above 3000 ft 'VMC' requires specific cloud clearances which a PPL is absolved of if he is IFR
2. at various speeds and altitudes forward viz must be 5km or 8km for VMC to exist - the PPL flying in accordance with IFR still only needs his 3kms viz in these conditions (and because of the altitude the main feature of being IFR in this case is that he must be flying at a quadrantal.
3. If in sight of the surface (which our PPL must be) the 1000 ft IFR height requirement disappears
4. quadrantals only apply above the transition altitude

[Vee One...Rotate]

Thank you muchly.