What is a Night Rating?
The Night Rating extends the privileges of your Private Pilot License so you can fly at night, not just by day. It builds directly on the flying you already learned during your PPL and adds the specific skills, references and judgement that night operations demand.
It is usually the first rating a pilot adds after the PPL, because it opens up far more usable flying time and lays important groundwork for instrument flying later on.
All Programs
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Flight Training Requirements
Your practical training includes the minimum night experience required to prepare for the skill test.
Examinations & Your Pilot Journey
To obtain your Night Rating, you must complete the required examinations. This milestone sits on a structured aviation career path.
Night Check
A skill test with a designated examiner covering circuits, approaches and landings at night. No additional written exam.
Your Path Beyond PPL
Your progression follows a structured pathway toward becoming a professional airline pilot.
Who Can Apply
To enrol in the Night Rating, you must hold the following prerequisite qualifications.
A valid Private Pilot License (PPL).
A current aviation medical.
Full requirements checklist
Hold a valid Private Pilot License (PPL).
Pass a practical flight test conducted by a Grade 1 Designated Flight Examiner (DFE).
Complete 10 hours of instrument flying. Five of these may be flown on an approved simulator (such as an FNPT-II) and five in an actual aircraft, typically a Cessna 172.
Complete 5 hours of night flying, including at least 5 night take-offs and landings and one night cross-country flight of at least 150 nautical miles with two full-stop landings at two different airports away from base.
Pass the night flight test with a Grade 1 or Grade 2 instructor. It takes about an hour and can count toward the 10 required hours of instrument training.
Pass the official South African Civil Aviation Authority (SACAA) examination.
What You Can Do With a Night Rating
The Night Rating extends your existing PPL privileges to include night operations.
Fly single-engine aircraft at night under VFR
Your existing day privileges are retained
Not granted by this rating alone
Personal use only; no paid flying
Time to Complete
Your training timeline depends on how consistently you train and how quickly you progress.
Training frequency
Student availability
Weather conditions
Learning pace
Training Cost
The cost of obtaining a Private Pilot License depends on your training pace, flight hours, and overall progression.
Your investment is tailored to your training plan.
Every student progresses differently, which means your total investment is influenced by how consistently you train and how efficiently you build your flight hours.
Get Your Personalized Cost Breakdown
Speak with our team to receive a clear, structured breakdown tailored to your training plan, no commitment required.
Request Pricing DetailsNight Rating FAQs
Common questions about Night Rating training at SkyTeam Aviation.
