Night Rating

A Night Rating is the most common first step after becoming a licensed Private Pilot, increasing the amount of flyable hours in a day!

The Night Rating requires 5 hours of instrument flying (since PPL, 10 hours in total), 5 hours of night dual instruction (2 hours cross country), and 5 hours of night solo flying (10 takeoffs and landings).

A Flight Instructor will verify that you have completed the minimum requirements. There is no flight test or written test required for the completion of your night rating.

Visual Flight Reference Over the Top (VFR OTT)

A VFR OTT Rating allows pilots to fly above a cloud layer, losing visual reference to the ground. This means that pilots must have additional training in instrument flying and navigation. Pilots will automatically receive this rating upon completion of their Commercial Licence or Instrument Rating.

The requirements for the VFR OTT Rating are 15 hours of dual instrument training (5 of which can be completed in a Simulator). Instrument hours previously obtained during a Private Licence, Commercial Licence, Night Rating, or Instrument Rating may be credited towards this.

A Flight Instructor will verify that you have completed the minimum requirements. There is no flight test or written test required for the completion of your VFR OTT Rating.

Multi Engine Rating (Burlington)

Multi-Engine training is conducted by one of our qualified instructors in our Piper Seneca. The prerequisite for this training is a private license or higher. There are no specified training time requirements, however we estimate around 10 hours of dual training.

Examination

There is no written exam, but there is a flight test. The flight test is conducted at Spectrum Airways on one of the Piper Seneca aircraft from our fleet.

Registration

Students interested in earning their multi-engine rating must apply online through Spectrum Airways Admissions as a Student Pilot.

• Prerequisite is a Private Pilot License 

• Provide training for Group I (Multi-Engine) and Group III (Single Engine) 

• Minimum 40 hours DUAL instrument 

• 100NM DUAL Cross-country 

• At two locations, fly IFR Approach at minimums 

• 50 hours Cross-country PIC time

Examinations

• Flight test and written test required 

• Written exam conducted at a Transport Canada Office must be completed prior to the flight test 

• Flight test administered by a Transport Canada Inspector

Registration

Students interested in earning their Instrument rating or MIFR must apply online through Spectrum Airways Admissions as a Student Pilot.

Instrument Proficiency Checks (IPC) (Burlington)

To maintain currency on your instrument rating, you must have completed 6 hours of instrument flying, and 6 approaches to minimums within the previous 6 months. If your currency expires, you can rely on Spectrum Airways for help with your IPC. Please refer to Advisory Circular AC401-004 for specific IPC details.

Note: Spectrum Airways instructors can help you prepare for the IPC using ground instruction, simulator or in-aircraft training. We want you to be a safe and competent pilot, and so we do not offer “just simply pass the IPC” check rides. We can also help you understand the new GNSS based technology and procedures such as RNAV SIDs and STARs, WAAS enabled approaches and EFIS based cockpit displays. In addition, navigation and planning apps such as ForeFlight can also be taught if you have the equipment and subscription required. Our IPC services include: 

• A check ride with a Transport Canada Examiner until they are satisfied with your skills

• There is no “fail” but you must demonstrate competent and consistent performance

• The examiner will fly to a maximum of 4 hours at a fixed fee and then per hour afterwards

• You are responsible for aircraft and/or simulator rental costs

• IPCs can be conducted in either the RedBird FMX Flight Simulator OR the IFR capable aircraft of your choice