Night Rating

Gain your official Night Rating endorsement, required for operating UAVs unshielded at night under Part 102. This course equips you with the knowledge, skills, and confidence to fly safely in low-light and night conditions.
Format

Interactive online theory with practical test.

Starting date

Begin your training whenever it suits you

Author

NZ Drones Academy CAA Part 141 Certified Training Organisation.

In Person Training 

Hands-on night flying with an instructor to demonstrate competence

Duration

Study at your own pace

Enrol now 

Advance your skills, elevate your future

About the course

Enhance your qualifications with NZ Drones Academy’s CAA-approved RPAS Night Rating. This advanced endorsement expands your operational privileges under CAA Part 102, allowing you to conduct safe and compliant drone operations after dark.

Delivered by our CAA-certified Part 141 training organisation, the course blends theory and practical assessment to ensure you understand every element of night flying — from lighting requirements to human-factors and visual limitations.

What You’ll Learn

- CAA Night Operations Rules – understand the legal requirements for flying after sunset under Part 102.

- Lighting & Equipment Standards – navigation, anti-collision, and orientation lighting for night operations.

- Visual Perception & Depth Awareness – how darkness affects spatial orientation and pilot decision-making.

- Human Factors & Fatigue Management – apply IMSAFE and other techniques to maintain safe performance.

- Operational Risk Assessment – identify and mitigate hazards unique to night flying, including visual obstacles and lighting conditions.

- Airspace & Flight Planning – use AirShare, NOTAMs, and weather data for safe night mission preparation.

- Emergency Procedures – respond to lost-link, disorientation, or lighting failures during night operations.

- Practical Night Flight – perform safe take-off, hover, orientation, and landing using lighting references and situational awareness.

Assessment & Certification

You’ll complete:

- An open-book online theory assessment covering Part 102 night-flying requirements (80 % minimum pass mark).

- A Practical Night Flight Assessment conducted by a CAA-approved examiner, demonstrating safe control, orientation, and recovery under night conditions.

Upon successful completion, you’ll receive the official NZ Drones Academy RPAS Night Rating Certificate, recognised by the Civil Aviation Authority of New Zealand.

This endorsement authorises you to conduct professional night operations under a CAA-approved UAOC.

Night-Flight Confidence

Master the skills to operate safely and confidently after dark. You’ll learn how to manage lighting, depth perception, and visual limitations while maintaining precise control in real-world conditions.

Real-World Application

This course is built for professionals who need to fly when the sun goes down — from security and emergency response to creative and industrial operations. Training combines theory with hands-on night flight experience.

Advanced Endorsement 

Expand your privileges under Part 102 with a nationally recognised CAA Night Rating. This certification demonstrates advanced competency and unlocks greater flexibility for commercial and operational missions.

NZ Drones Academy 

NZ Drones Academy is New Zealand’s premier training provider for professional drone pilots. As a CAA Part 141 certified training organisation, we deliver courses that meet the highest regulatory standards from Part 101 basics through to advanced Part 102, Night Rating, and Operational Competency Assessments. Whether you’re starting your drone journey or aiming to expand into advanced operations, NZ Drones Academy equips you with the knowledge, skills, and certification to succeed.
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