Pilot Ratings & Endorsements Page

Pilot Ratings & Endorsements

At Desert Aviation Academy, we believe aviation training is a journey — one that begins with your pilot license and continues as you build your skills, versatility, and confidence in the skies.

Pilot ratings are official endorsements to a pilot license that define the aircraft types and operational privileges a pilot may exercise. Think of your pilot license as the foundation, with ratings serving as specializations that expand what you are legally authorized to do — from flying at night to operating under instrument flight rules and beyond.

Class & Type Ratings

Whether you are upgrading your license, transitioning to a new aircraft, or adding a specific aircraft endorsement, our experienced instructors will guide you through the process safely and efficiently.

Requirements:

To obtain a Class or Type Rating, pilots must:

Hold a valid Namibian Pilot Licence or a validated foreign Pilot Licence

Meet the prescribed pilot-in-command experience requirements, as applicable to the aircraft and operation

Successfully complete approved ground and flight training

Pass any required theoretical knowledge examinations

Successfully complete a skills test with a Designated Flight Examiner

Training Process

Aircraft-specific ground instruction

Practical flight training on the applicable aircraft

Skills testing and license endorsement

Submission of required documentation to the Namibia Civil Aviation Authority

All training is conducted in full compliance with Part 61, Subpart 17, ensuring your rating is valid, endorsed, and recognized under Namibian law.

Night Rating - Flying at Night

At Desert Aviation Academy, we offer Night Rating training in accordance with the Namibian Civil Aviation Regulations (Part 61). A Night Rating allows licensed pilots to operate an aircraft at night under Visual Flight Rules (VFR) and is required for recreational night flying as well as for pilots progressing toward a Commercial Pilot License (CPL) or Airline Transport Pilot License (ATPL). For aviation purposes, night is defined as 15 minutes after sunset and 15 minutes before sunrise.

Night Rating Requirements:

Hold a valid Pilot License (PPL or higher)

Pass the prescribed Night Rating theoretical knowledge examination

Successfully complete a skills test with a Designated Flight Examiner

Theoretical Knowledge Training

Applicants must complete a minimum of 5 hours of ground instruction, covering:

A written examination on the above material must be passed as prescribed by the Authority.

Practical Flight Training

Instrument Instruction

A minimum of 10 hours of instrument instruction
Up to 2 hours may be completed in an approved Flight Simulator.
At least 5 night take-offs and 5 night landings under dual instruction.
Dual Cross-country by night consisting of at least three legs of not less than 50nm each.

Skills Test & License Endorsement

Upon completion of training, applicants must undergo a Night Rating skills test, which:

Once all requirements are met, the Night Rating is endorsed on the pilot’s license by the Namibia Civil Aviation Authority.

Instrument Rating

Allows a pilot to fly under Instrument Flight Rules (IFR), enabling safe aircraft operation in low visibility and poor weather conditions using flight instruments alone.

An Instrument Rating (IR) trains pilots to fly without external visual reference, which is essential when the horizon is obscured by fog, haze, cloud, or night conditions. Pilots learn how to safely descend through cloud and reduced visibility using approved instrument approaches and navigation aids.

Training also focuses on early identification of potentially hazardous weather and effective IFR flight planning. The standards for an Instrument Rating are significantly higher than those for a PPL or Night Rating.

Pilots are trained to manage abnormal and emergency situations solely by reference to flight instruments. For commercial pilots, an Instrument Rating is essential.

Requirements

Flight Requirements

Theoretical Requirements

Skills Test

Instructor Rating

An Instructor Rating is one of the most valuable qualifications a professional pilot can obtain. Beyond teaching others to fly, becoming a Flight Instructor significantly enhances a pilot’s technical knowledge, decision-making ability, and aircraft handling skills. Instructing develops discipline, confidence, and leadership – qualities highly regarded throughout the aviation industry.

At Desert Aviation Academy, we train instructors to the highest standards, ensuring our graduates are competent, confident, and compliant.

Requirements

To qualify for the issue of a Grade III Flight Instructor Rating, an applicant must:

Hold a valid Commercial Pilot License (CPL) in the applicable aircraft category

Complete the prescribed theoretical knowledge training and examinations

Complete the required ground instructional training

Complete the required flight patter training

Successfully pass the Flight Instructor Skills Test

Theoretical Knowledge Requirements

(Minimum pass mark: 75%)
The theoretical knowledge examinations consist of the following two combined papers:

Applied Air Law, Meteorology & Navigation

Principles of Flight & Principles of Instruction

Ground Training

Applicants must complete at least 80 hours of instructional briefing and lectures.
Ground training includes, but is not limited to:

Teaching and instructional techniques
Lesson planning and briefing structure
Student assessment and progress monitoring
Error recognition and correction
Instructor responsibilities, airmanship, and applicable aviation law

Flight Training (Patter)

Applicants must complete a minimum of 20 hours of flight patter training (applicant will be occupying the right hand seat)
Flight patter training focuses on:

Demonstration and instructional flying techniques
Effective verbal instruction during flight
Identification and correction of student errors
Student handling and instructor intervention
Safety management and instructional decision-making

Skills Test

Upon completion of all theoretical and practical training requirements, the applicant must successfully complete a Grade III Flight Instructor Skills Test.
The skills test includes:

The test is conducted by an appropriately rated Designated Flight Examiner (DFE)