How to get a night rating in South Africa
By the Sonowe Fly team · Published · Every figure links to its source
On this page
A night rating lets you use your pilot licence at night.1 It's useful for any pilot, since it lets you get home after sunset, and it's required for both the commercial pilot licence and the instrument rating.23 Two schools publish prices of about R47 000 to R49 400 for it.67
In short
- At least 5 hours of theory, 10 hours of instrument instruction (no more than 5 in a simulator), 5 night take-offs and landings with an instructor and a dual night cross-country of at least 150 nautical miles.4
- A written SACAA exam and a skills test with a Grade I or II instructor.45
- SACAA fees: R796 for the exam and R651 for the rating.8
What you need before you start
A valid pilot licence, and the training done at an Approved Training Organisation.4 You can start once you have your PPL; students on an approved integrated course can hold one on their integrated student licence.69
The training (aeroplanes)
The minimums, all at an Approved Training Organisation:4
- Theory: at least 5 hours of instruction on the syllabus in Document SA-CATS 61.
- Instrument instruction: at least 10 hours, of which no more than 5 may be in an approved simulator.
- Night circuits: at least 5 take-offs and 5 landings by night, flying the aircraft yourself, with an instructor.
- Night cross-country: a dual flight of at least 150 nautical miles in total, with full-stop landings at two different aerodromes away from base.
For helicopters it's 5 night circuits with 5 take-offs and landings and a 75-nautical-mile night cross-country. A pilot with a night or instrument rating on aeroplanes can be credited with up to 5 of the 10 instrument hours towards a helicopter night rating, and the other way round.4
The exam and skills test
The theory ends in a written SACAA exam.10 The skills test is flown with a Grade I or Grade II flight instructor and includes at least 3 take-offs, 3 circuits and 3 landings by night; the instrument part can be done by day. You must apply for the rating within 30 days of the skills test.5
What it costs
| Item | Price |
|---|---|
| SACAA night rating exam | R7968 |
| SACAA rating issue | R6518 |
| uFly Academy, Rand Airport (Piper PA-28-161) | R49 400 at the minimum hours: 10 aircraft hours with an instructor at R3 990 an hour (5 of instrument flying and 5 at night, including the cross-country), 5 simulator hours at R1 350 and five briefings at R550.6 |
| Madiba Bay School of Flight, Gqeberha | From R47 084.7 |
uFly's page lists older SACAA fees (R471 and R650); the figures above are SACAA's current ones from 1 October 2026.68 School prices assume the minimum hours and can change, so ask for a written quote and what happens if you need more time.
After the rating
To carry passengers at night you need at least one take-off and landing at night in the previous 90 days, unless you hold an instrument rating, as well as the usual three take-offs and landings for passengers.11 If you're heading for a commercial licence, you'll also need 5 hours at night as pilot in command, with 10 night take-offs and 10 landings and a three-leg night cross-country.2
Next steps: the instrument rating, which needs the night rating first, and PPL, CPL and ATPL compared.
Common questions
What training does a night rating need?
At least 5 hours of theory, 10 hours of instrument instruction (no more than 5 in a simulator), 5 night take-offs and landings with an instructor and a dual night cross-country of at least 150 nautical miles.4
Is there an exam for a night rating?
Yes: a written exam with the Civil Aviation Authority, then a skills test with a Grade I or II instructor.45
What does the Civil Aviation Authority charge for a night rating?
R796 for the exam and R651 for the rating.8
Sources
Prices are the schools' own published figures on the dates shown; they change, so confirm before you pay anything. Sonowe Fly isn't connected to any school listed.
- Civil Aviation Regulations, 2011 (as amended), regulation 61.10.5: privileges and limitations of a night rating. Acts Online, checked 6 November 2026.
- Civil Aviation Regulations, regulation 61.05.1: requirements for a CPL (aeroplane), including a night rating and night flying as pilot in command. Acts Online, checked 6 November 2026.
- Civil Aviation Regulations, regulation 61.11.2: requirements for an instrument rating. Acts Online, checked 6 November 2026.
- Civil Aviation Regulations, regulation 61.10.1: requirements for a night rating. Acts Online, checked 6 November 2026.
- Civil Aviation Regulations, regulation 61.10.4: skills test for a night rating. Acts Online, checked 6 November 2026.
- uFly Academy, “Night Rating” (Rand Airport, Germiston): requirements and cost breakdown. uflyacademy.co.za, checked 6 November 2026.
- Madiba Bay School of Flight, home page: “Night rating course, from R 47 084”. mbsf.co.za, checked 6 November 2026.
- South African Civil Aviation Authority, “Examination fees, Effective 01 October 2026” and “Pilot Licensing Fees As From 1 October 2026” (PDFs). Exam fees, licensing fees, checked 6 November 2026.
- Civil Aviation Regulations, regulation 61.02.5: privileges of a student and integrated student pilot licence (as substituted on 21 August 2026). Acts Online, checked 6 November 2026.
- Civil Aviation Regulations, regulation 61.10.3: theory examination for a night rating. Acts Online, checked 6 November 2026.
- Civil Aviation Regulations, regulation 91.02.4: recency requirements. Acts Online, checked 6 November 2026.
This guide is general information, not advice. The South African Civil Aviation Authority's regulations and your flight school have the final word. Spotted something out of date? Tell us in Feedback and ideas.