Flight School - Night Rating

A Night Rating allows a Private Pilot the freedom to safely operate under visual conditions beyond sunset during nighttime hours. This training is typically included in the syllabus of the Commercial Pilot License. Because darkness can obscure clouds and obstacles and provide less visual cues for situational awareness when flying at night, the Night Rating requires specialized skills gained through additional instrument and cross-country training.

Sea to Sky Air is authorized by Transport Canada to provide training towards a Night Rating. This training requires a minimum of 10 hours total flight time at night, of which 5 hours must be dual (with a certified flight instructor) and 5 hours must be solo (as the sole occupant of the aircraft). Within the minimum 5 hours dual, a student must complete 2 hours of night cross-country flight time. The solo flight portion, although not required, will usually also include some solo night cross-country flight time at the discretion of the instructor. The student is also required to have a total of 10 hours instrument flight time prior to being issued the Night Rating. As you typically complete the Private Pilot License with a minimum 5 hours instrument flight time, there will be a requirement for a further 5 hours or less of instrument flying to be conducted with a certified flight instructor. This further instrument flight training may be conducted during day or night. Upon satisfactory completion of the flight training, the flight instructor certifies that all requirements have been met and the student will be authorized for solo night flight or night flight with passengers. There is no written exam or flight test required although there is a fair amount of background knowledge required for flying at night which will be met through intensive ground briefings prior to each flight.

Because the airport at Squamish is not equipped with suitable aerodrome lighting, we are unable to conduct night flight training at our home base. Typically we will depart Squamish shortly before official night and conduct the remainder of the night training at a nearby suitable aerodrome such as Pitt Meadows, Boundary Bay, Abbotsford, Sechelt, etc.

Prior to starting the training towards a Night Rating, the student must have successfully completed the Private Pilot License and hold at least a valid category 3 medical certificate.

The following cost estimate has been provided to assist those who are interested in pursuing a Night Rating and is based on 10 hours of night flight time and 5 hours of instrument flight time. Although prices may vary slightly due to individual skill and local conditions, the following is a fairly accurate account of what is to be expected:

The following cost estimate has been provided to assist those who are interested in pursuing a Night Rating and already have acquired 10 hours of instrument flight time with a certified flight instructor. It is based on a total night flight time of 10 hours.