AMC1 FCL.810(b) Night rating

HELICOPTER NIGHT RATING COURSE

(a)     The aim of the course is to qualify helicopter licence holders to exercise the privileges of the licence at night.

(b)     The DTO or the ATO should issue a certificate of satisfactory completion of the instruction to licence endorsement. 

(c)      Theoretical knowledge

The theoretical knowledge syllabus should cover the revision or explanation of:

(1)     night VMC minima;

(2)     rules about airspace control at night and facilities available;

(3)     rules about aerodrome ground, runway, landing site and obstruction lighting; 

(4)     aircraft navigation lights and collision avoidance rules;

(5)     physiological aspects of night vision and orientation;

(6)     dangers of disorientation at night;

(7)     dangers of weather deterioration at night;

(8)     instrument systems or functions and errors;

(9)     instrument lighting and emergency cockpit lighting systems;

(10)    map marking for use under cockpit lighting;

(11)    practical navigation principles;

(12)    radio navigation principles;

(13)    planning and use of safety altitude;

(14)    danger from icing conditions, avoidance and escape manoeuvres.

(d)     Flying training

The exercises of the night rating flight syllabus should be repeated as necessary until the student achieves a safe and competent standard:

(1)     In all cases, exercises 4 to 6 of the night rating flight syllabus should be completed in a helicopter in flight.

(2)     For exercises 1 to 3, up to 50 % of the required flight training may be completed in an FSTD(H). However, each item of exercises 1 to 3 should be completed in a helicopter in-flight.

(3)     Items marked (*) should be completed in simulated IMC and may be completed in daylight.

(4)     The flying exercises should comprise:

(i)      Exercise 1:

(A)     revise basic manoeuvres when flying by sole reference to instruments*;

(B)     explain and demonstrate transition to instrument flight from visual flight*;

(C)     explain and revise recovery from unusual attitudes by sole reference to instruments*.

(ii)     Exercise 2:

Explain and demonstrate the use of radio navigation aids when flying by sole reference to instruments, to include position finding and tracking*.

(iii)     Exercise 3:

Explain and demonstrate the use of radar assistance*.

(iv)     Exercise 4:

(A)     explain and demonstrate the use and adjustment of landing light;

(B)     explain and demonstrate night hovering:

(a)      higher and slower than by day;

(b)     avoidance of unintended sideways or backwards movements.

(C)     explain and demonstrate night take-off techniques;

(D)     explain and demonstrate night circuit technique;

(E)     explain and demonstrate night approaches (constant angle) with or without visual approach aids to:

(a)      heliports;

(b)     illuminated touchdown areas.

(F)     practise take-off’s, circuits and approaches;

(G)     explain and demonstrate night emergency procedures to include:

(a)      simulated engine failure (to be terminated with power recovery at a safe altitude);

(b)     simulated engine failure, including SE approach and landing (ME only);

(c)      simulated inadvertent entry to IMC (not on base leg or final);

(d)     simulated hydraulic control failure (to include landing);

(e)     internal and external lighting failure; 

(f)      other malfunctions and emergency procedures as required by the aircraft flight manual.

(v)      Exercise 5:

Solo night circuits.

(vi)     Exercise 6:

(A)     explain and demonstrate night cross-country techniques;

(B)     practise night cross-country dual flight and either flight as SPIC or supervised solo to a satisfactory standard.