This rating is a simple type of instrument rating. It used to be called a Class IV Instrument Rating.

There are two views on the intention of this rating:

1. The most basic use of this is to permit the continuation of a day VFR flight beyond the end of daylight. This will allow a pilot to complete a flight after the end of daylight if he or she is held up for some reason. On a similar basis, the flight might commence prior to the beginning of daylight to ensure that there is no problem later in the day.
2. Another view of this rating is that it permits any flight at night, weather permitting. Royal Newcastle Aero Club cautions the use of this rating for this purpose. We feel the intention of the rating is not to blast off in the middle of the night and complete the flight in darkness. It is suggested that night flights would be better conducted under the IFR as this provides a greater level of monitoring and protection.