Flying at Night — What You Need to Know

Of all the challenges that pilots master, flying at night can be one of the most anxiety inducing. Once you get the hang of it though, night may quickly become one of your favourite times to fly. More often than not, the sky has far less traffic to deal with, and the views below can be quite spectacular.

In Australia (as with all countries around the world) there are strict regulations that must be met before you are even able to take to the skies while it’s dark. You will need to obtain either an Instrument Rating or a Night VFR (Visual Flight Rules) Rating.

As is the case with all new aviation skills, the key to becoming comfortable flying at night is practice. You should take every opportunity you can to build up your night flying skills and time so that you can fully enjoy the unique peace and serenity that comes from flying at night.

What is VFR and IFR?

VFR stands for Visual Flight Rules: a list of regulations that govern how a pilot operates an aircraft in conditions where it is clear enough to see where they are going. These conditions are known as VMC, or Visual Meteorological Conditions. 

When conditions are not suitable for VFR flying, pilots will have to fly under Instrument Flight Rules (IFR). For example, when conditions are such that pilots are unable to use visual cues outside the cockpit to fly safely, a flight must be conducted under IFR. This could be due to either weather or light. The requirement to fly VFR or IFR comes down to a number of factors, including the equipment available on the plane, the weather conditions, and the purpose of the flight.

Night VFR conditions require the weather to be suitable for visual cues still to be present in the dark. This means you’ll need skies that are clear of clouds, or clouds that are above a certain altitude. You will also need to be flying to and from an aerodrome with a certain level of runway lighting available.

Eligibility for flying at night

To fly IFR you need an Instrument Rating, which certifies you to fly using the aircraft’s instruments rather than visual cues. Many pilots may not want to undergo full instrument training, which is why a Night VFR Rating may be a better option.

To commence Night VFR training you will need to hold a valid Private Pilot Licence, Commercial Pilot Licence, or Air Transport Pilot Licence. Flight training starts by completing night flying in the aerodrome circuit pattern with an instructor. You will then complete a night solo flight before moving on to navigational night flights.

Once you have successfully completed the required flight training hours you can undergo your Night VFR Rating flight test.

Night VFR flying is a skill you need to keep finely tuned. Be sure to prepare yourself appropriately, prioritise safety, and ultimately enjoy the opportunity to see the world from above at a time enjoyed by few pilots.