VFR Night Flying Canada

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Here are the requirements of Transport Canada to obtain the Night flight license annotation on a private aircraft.

DIVISION XII - NIGHT RATING

IMPORTANT: This is for information only. Always check the latest info from the officials sources.

421.42 Requirements

(1) Private Pilot License - Aeroplane
(a) Experience
An applicant for a night rating shall have acquired in aeroplanes a minimum of 20 hours of pilot flight time which shall include a minimum of:
(i) 10 hours of night flight time including a minimum of:
(A) 5 hours of dual flight time, including 2 hours of cross-country flight time,
(B) 5 hours of solo flight time, including 10 take-offs, circuits and landings, and
(ii) 10 hours of dual instrument time.
(iii) Credit for a maximum of five hours of the 10 hours of dual instrument time may be given for instrument ground time, provided that the total instrument time shall be in addition to the 10 hours of night flight time in subparagraph (a)(i) above. (amended 1998/03/23)
(b) Skill
Within the 12 months preceding the date of application for a night rating, an applicant shall have successfully completed a qualifying flight under the supervision of a Transport Canada Inspector or a person qualified in accordance with subsection 425.21(4) by demonstrating the level of skill specified in the Flight Instructor Guide-Aeroplane (TP 975). (amended 2000/09/01)
(c) Credits
An applicant who holds a license endorsed with a night rating in one of the other aircraft categories shall have the total 20-hour pilot flight time reduced to a minimum of 5 hours in aeroplanes including a minimum of:
(i) 2 hours of dual night flight time,
(ii) 1 hour of solo night flight time, and
(iii) 1 hour of dual instrument flight time which shall be in addition to the flight time of (i) and (ii).

(2) Private Pilot License - Helicopter
(a) Experience
An applicant for a night rating shall have acquired, in helicopters, a minimum of 20 hours of pilot flight time which shall include a minimum of:
(i) 10 hours of night flight time including a minimum of:
(A) 5 hours of dual flight time, including 2 hours of cross-country flight time,
(B) 5 hours of solo flight time, including 10 take-offs, circuits and landings, and
(ii) 10 hours of dual instrument time.
(iii) Credit for a maximum of 5 hours of the 10 hours of dual instrument time may be given for instrument ground time, provided that the total instrument time is in addition to the 10 hours of night flight time in subparagraph (a)(i) above. (amended 1999/03/01)
(b) Skill
Within the 12 months preceding the date of application for a night rating, an applicant shall have successfully completed a qualifying flight under the supervision of a Transport Canada Inspector or a person qualified in accordance with subsection 425.21(4) by demonstrating the level of skill specified in the Flight Instructor Guide-Aeroplane (TP 975). (amended 2000/09/01)
(c) Credits
An applicant who holds a license endorsed with a night rating in one of the other aircraft categories shall have the total 20-hour pilot flight time reduced to a minimum of 5 hours in helicopters including a minimum of:
(i) 2 hours of dual night flight time,
(ii) 1 hour of solo night flight time, and
(iii) 1 hour of dual instrument flight time which shall be in addition to the flight time of (i) and (ii).

(3) Pilot Permit - Gyroplane
(a) Experience
An applicant for a night rating shall have acquired in gyroplanes a minimum of 20 hours of pilot flight time which shall include a minimum of:
(i) 10 hours of night flight time including a minimum of:
(A) 5 hours of dual flight time, including 2 hours of cross-country flight time,
(B) 5 hours of solo flight time, including 10 take-offs, circuits and landings, and
(ii) 10 hours of dual instrument time.
(iii) Credit for a maximum of 5 hours of the 10 hours of dual instrument time may be given for instrument ground time, provided that the total instrument time shall be in addition to the 10 hours of night flight time in subparagraph (a)(i) above. (amended 1999/03/01)
(b) Skill
Within the 12 months preceding the application for a night rating, an applicant shall have successfully completed a qualifying flight under the supervision of a Transport Canada Inspector or a person qualified in accordance with subsection 425.21(4). (amended 2000/09/01)
(c) Credits
An applicant who holds a license endorsed with a night rating in one of the other aircraft categories shall have the total 20-hour pilot flight time reduced to a minimum of 5 hours in gyroplanes including a minimum of:
(i) 2 hours dual night flight time,
(ii) 1-hour solo night flight time, and
(iii) 1-hour dual instrument flight time which shall be in addition to the flight time of (i) and (iii).

(4) Pilot License - Balloon
An applicant for a night rating shall have completed in balloons a minimum of: (amended 2005/12/01)
(a) 1 dual and 1 solo ascent by night; and
(b) a minimum of 4 hours of night flight time under the direction and supervision of the holder of a Flight Instructor Rating - Balloon - endorsed for night flying and for the Balloon type.

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