Helicopter night qualification (VFR night)

As a private helicopter pilot with PPL(H) license you can’t operate during the hours of darkness, with or without passengers, without obtaining a night qualification. According to polish air law regulations, night flight begins 30 minutes after sunset and ends 30 minutes before sunrise. The rating covers any helicopter types that you are rated on and the night flying course must be conducted under Visual Meteorological Conditions (VMC). To gain VFR night rating with LAPL(H) You first need to upgrade to PPL(H) license.

If you are aiming to get your CPL(H), the night qualification is normally included as part of the CPL(H) course, however, private pilots can also obtain the rating provided they meet the following requirements stated below:

* 100 hours of flight time in helicopters after the issue of the PPL(H), including:
* minimum 60 hours as Pilot in Command (PIC)
* 40 hours can be as student-pilot (DUAL)

Helicopter night qualification (VFR night) course entails:

* 5 hours theoretical knowledge instruction
* 10 hours dual instrument flying**. This instruction is in addition to any instrument instruction completed prior to the course.
* 5 hours helicopter night training, including 3 hours of dual instruction and 5 solo night circuits, each circuit to include a take-off and landing

The course must be completed within 6 months.

** This requirement is based on the assumption that the applicant has previously completed 5 hours dual instruction during their training for a PPL(H). The holder of a PPL(H) who had not since completed 5 hours instrument flying will be required to complete 15 hours dual helicopter instruction.

Flight hours completed during the training are counted towards the requirement of 100 hours after achieving PPL(H) license.

Link: Helicopter night qualification (VFR night) – how to get VFR night rating in PPL license?

Helicopter night qualification (VFR night) – important regulations

FCL.810 Night rating

Helicopters. If the privileges of a PPL for helicopters are to be exercised in VFR conditions at night, the applicant shall have:

(1) completed at least 100 hours of flight time as pilot in helicopters after the issue of the licence, including at least 60 hours as PIC on helicopters and 20 hours of cross-country flight;

(2) completed a training course at an ATO. The course shall be completed within a period of 6 months and comprise:
(i) 5 hours of theoretical knowledge instruction;
(ii) 10 hours of helicopter dual instrument instruction time; and
(iii) 5 hours of flight time at night, including at least 3 hours of dual instruction, including at least 1 hour of cross-country navigation and 5 solo night circuits. Each circuit shall include a take-off and a landing.

(3) An applicant who holds or has held an IR in an aeroplane or TMG, shall be credited with 5 hours towards the requirement in (2)(ii) above.