VFR at night?

[BHX]

Hi all. Just wondering whether it is possible to fly at night under visual flight rules? As far as I understand the law, flight at night has to be under IFR even though it is possibly VMC, no matter what license or ratings you hold but I will happily stand corrected..Thanks

[markflyer6580]

Re: VFR at night?

All night flying is under IFR,although you do not need an IR, only major difference I noticed was getting a departure clearence to copy down.

However the holder of a liscense without an IR is prohibited from carrying pax as pic at night unlessduring last 90 days one take off and landing has beeen completed at night.-according to Lasors.

[-IBLB-]

Re: VFR at night?

The above is true, with a Night Qualification in the UK. In some other countries it is not possible at all (the neighbours, the Netherlands for instance) Some countries require you to have an IR, and in some countries (US for instance) you don't need anything at all to be able to fly at night, a "night qualification" as such is included in the basic license.

[westhawk]

Re: VFR at night?

in some countries (US for instance) you don't need anything at all to be able to fly at night, a "night qualification" as such is included in the basic license.

Just to amplify upon the above statement:
The eligibility requirements for issuance of a FAA private pilot certificate (airplane single engine) include at least 3 hours of night flight training. This training must include at least 10 takeoffs and landings to a full stop at night (with each landing involving a flight in the traffic pattern) and a night cross-country flight of at least 100nm total distance. If these requirements are not met, the limitation "night flying prohibited" will be added to the certificate. This limitation may be removed from the certificate when the required night training has been accomplished. This gives summertime northern latitude students the opportunity to earn their certificate (with the limitation) and complete their night training later in the year when night conditions return. The certificate becomes invalid if the limitation is not removed within 12 calendar months of issuance. Night flying subjects are also imbedded in the required ground training, required knowledge test and in required oral questioning during the flight test. The FAA has simply elected not to treat night flying as a separate rating, but rather to include it in the private certificate.

The adequacy of regulatory training and currency requirements for night flight are subjected to constant review and debate as a result of the rather appalling accident statistics associated with night flying. At the same time, it is recognized that meeting minimum requirements does not provide an equal level of safety to all pilots under all environmental or individual circumstances in all types of airplanes. Each pilot is free to exceed minimum requirements by any amount they see fit to!

Best regards,

Westhawk

[-IBLB-]

Re: VFR at night?

Originally Posted by -IBLB-

..., and in some countries (US for instance) you don't need anything at all to be able to fly at night, a "night qualification" as such is included in the basic license.

thanks for mentioning the training westhawk , i just read it again, and i see that it is easy to read my post and think you don't need any night training at all, and still can fly VFR night. Which is not true ofcourse, as you have pointed out.

-IBLB-