Advanced flying training

The basic Private Pilot Licence allows you to fly and carry passengers only in Visual Meteorological Conditions. Many pilots, after achieving their basic licence, may decide to gain additional optional ratings in order to fly in more challenging conditions or fly more complex aircraft. With the exception of the Night Rating, the club aircraft is not equipped for such training. If you wish to attain any of these further qualifications within the club you would have to join one of the groups owning a suitably equipped aircraft. Each group has a limited number of shares, so generally there is a waiting list.

Please note that not all categories of Differences training are available in club or group aircraft.
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Night rating

A night rating allows a pilot to fly at night exercising visual flight rules (VFR).The night rating is non-expiring (ie it has lifetime validity). Since the night rating can be applied for at the same time as the issue of a PPL some pilots may choose this as their first step to additional qualifications by completing the night rating course requirements as an additional 5 hours course to the PPL (although it is more likely that you would like to build on your daytime hours before considering advancing to this).

In order to apply for a night rating you will have to pass an appropriate training course within a period of 6 months.
The training includes:
  • Theoretical knowledge instruction
  • At least 5 hours of flight time at night, including at least 3 hours of dual instruction, including at least 1 hour of cross-country navigation with at least one dual cross-country flight of at least 50 km (27 NM) and 5 solo take-offs and 5 solo full-stop landings.

Instrument Rating (Restricted)

The Instrument Rating (Restricted) IR(R) is a UK only rating which may be added to a PPL but not a LAPL (The CAA is considering allowing the rating to be added to the LAPL) The rating permits flight in most UK airspace in Instrument Meteorological Conditions ie in weather conditions such as cloud, poor visibility and out of sight of the surface. Gaining this rating will also greatly enhance your general flying skills.

In order to apply for an IR(R) rating you will need
  • 25 hours total flight time following issue of PPL (this may include the IMC Rating training)
  • 15 hours instruction as part of IR(R) course, 10 hours of which must be by sole reference to instruments
  • Pass an IR(R) multiple choice written theory exam
  • Pass a skill test
The rating is valid for a period of 25 months after the last day of the month in which the test was successfully passed. Revalidation at the end of this period will require passing a further revalidation flight test with a Flight Examiner.

Differences Training

Differences training is specifically required to encompass particular ‘complex’ features of an aircraft eg most pilots will learn to fly in a nose wheel aircraft. If you then wish to fly a tail wheel aircraft (tail dragger) you will require ‘Differences training’. This is because the differences between the two are considered complex. Differences training requires both theoretical knowledge instruction and training on an appropriately designed/equipped aeroplane. The training must be carried out by an appropriately qualified Flight Instructor or Class Rating Instructor. Upon completion of Differences training, and when the instructor is satisfied that an acceptable level of competency has been achieved, your pilot’s logbook will be annotated and signed by the instructor. There is no formal test. Differences training is not a rating. No application is made to the CAA and your licence is not endorsed.

Differences training is required for aircraft equipped with the following features:
  • Variable Pitch Propellers
  • Retractable Undercarriage
  • Turbo/Super-charged Engines
  • Cabin Pressurisation
  • Tail-Wheel
  • Electronic Flight Information Systems (EFIS)
  • Single Lever Power Control (SLPC)