John Toal

The JAR Night Qualification Course

In Europe, the Joint Aviation Authority (JAA) controls all training by implementing Joint Aviation Regulations (JAR). JAR Flight Crew Licensing (JAR FCL) is the document that has all the regulations regarding training. JAR-FCL 2 is the document that relates to helicopters.

Appendix 4 to JAR-FCL 2.125

In Europe, the Joint Aviation Authority (JAA) controls all training by implementing Joint Aviation Regulations (JAR). JAR Flight Crew Licensing (JAR FCL) is the document that has all the regulations regarding training. JAR-FCL 2 is the document that relates to helicopters.

After you get your Private Pilot's License PPL(H), you may want to inprove your skills and train for a night qualification. You will not be allowed to fly at night without having completed a night qualification course. The course must be completed within 6 months so make sure you budget accordingly. The course will include ground school and 15 hours of flying - so it is not cheap.

Appendix 4 to JAR-FCL 2.125 tells us what we need to do. Before starting the night qualification course, you must have completed 100 hours of flight time as pilot of helicopters after the issue of your license. You must have at least 60 hours as pilot in command of helicopters and you must also have completed at least 20 hours of cross country flight.

The Night Qualification Course

The night qualification course consists of ground school covering the theory requirements and also the flight portion covering the flying training. The course must be conducted at a Flight Training Organization (FTO) or (when EASA becomes mandatory and replaces JAR in April 2012) an Approved Training Organization (ATO). There will not be a flight test at the end of the course. On completion of the course the night flying restriction on your pilot's license will be removed. THEORY Theory will take at least 5 hours of instruction (actual hours depends on the school you use). Topics covered are:

• night VMC minima
• rules regarding airspace control at night and facilities available
• rules regarding aerodrome ground/runway/landing site/obstruction lighting
• aircraft navigation lights and collision avoidance rules
• physiological aspects of night vision and orientation
• dangers of disorientation at night
• dangers of weather deterioration at night
• instrument systems/functions and errors
• instrument lighting and emergency cockpit lighting systems
• map marking for use under cockpit lighting
• practical navigation principles
• planning and use of safety altitude
• danger from icing conditions, avoidance and escape manoeuvres

FLYING TRAINING The flying training is the fun part of the course and consists of 15 hours flying. Of the 15 hours, 10 hours will be flown during the day time simulating flying on instruments and 5 hours shall be flown at night. Of the 5 hours night flying, you will have to complete 5 solo circuits. The flying training will cover:

• basic manoeuvres when flying by sole reference to instruments
• transitions to instrument flight from visual flight
• recovery from unusual attitudes
• use of radio navigation aids
• use of radar assistance
• night hovering
• night take-off techniques
• night circuit technique
• night approaches
• engine failures at night
• hydraulic control failure at night
• emergency procedures
• night cross country techniques
• night solo circuits

Course Completion

On completion of the night qualification course you will be issued with a course completion certificate. The paperwork will be submitted to the relevant Authority of the country where you were issued with your license and you will have the night flying restriction removed from your license.

For further information you can refer to Appendix 4 to JAR-FCL 2.125 at any training school or search on the internet or view My Helicopter Blog for information and freebies.

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