EASA night rating: hours, fuel and CO₂
The EASA night rating for aeroplanes needs at least 5 hours of night flight time in a course at a DTO or an ATO under FCL.810(a)(1), with at least 3 hours dual. In a Cessna 172 that is about 53 US gal (201 L) of avgas and 440 kg of CO₂.
Official name: Night rating, aeroplanes, FCL.810 · Checked October 9, 2026
Minimum requirements
| Requirement | Minimum |
|---|---|
| Total flight time | 5 h |
| Night flight with an instructor | 3 h |
| Cross-country training with an instructor | 1 h |
Source: FCL.810(a)(1), Part-FCL
What else the rule says
- Dual: at least 3 hours, including 1 hour of cross-country navigation and at least one dual cross-country flight of 50 km (27 NM).
- Solo: 5 solo takeoffs and 5 solo full-stop landings.
- Timing: the course must be completed within 6 months, and includes theoretical knowledge instruction.
- LAPL holders: before completing the night training they must have done the basic instrument flight training required for the PPL.
- Classes: a pilot with both an SEP (land) and a TMG class rating may meet the requirements in either class or in both.
The CO₂ of 5 hours of training
These figures put every one of the 5 minimum hours in the aircraft. Fuel is hours times the trainer's fuel flow at about 75% power. CO₂ is the trainer's kilograms an hour, from 8.31 kg per US gallon of avgas, for burning the fuel only.
| Trainer | Fuel for 5 h, US gal | CO₂ | To offset (yearly plan) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Robin DR400/1206.6 US gal/h | 33125 L | 275 kg | $9.63 |
| Aquila A2115.8 US gal/h | 29110 L | 240 kg | $8.75 |
| Tecnam P2002 Sierra5.3 US gal/h | 27100 L | 220 kg | $8.75 |
| Cessna 172 Skyhawk10.6 US gal/h | 53201 L | 440 kg | $15.40 |
Five hours is a small amount of CO₂ whatever the trainer: from 220 kg in the Tecnam P2002 Sierra to 440 kg in the Cessna 172 Skyhawk.
The trainers are examples from our aircraft data, not a list of what any school flies.
How to offset it
Training is usually spread over a year, so we price it on the yearly plan, from $0.035 per kg. Offsetting the 5-hour minimum costs $8.75 to $15.40, depending on the trainer.
The yearly plan bills at least 250 kg, so the smallest amounts cost $8.75.
Who it's forOffset as an individual pilotHow a pilot offsets their own flying.
PricingPlans and ratesThe per-kg rates of the monthly and yearly plans.
Who it's forFor flight schools and clubsHow a school or club offsets the hours its aircraft fly.
ContactContact us about a fleet or schoolAsk for a quote on a fleet, a school or a total over the cap.
How to cut it
Over 5 hours, the Tecnam P2002 Sierra emits 220 kg of CO₂ and the Cessna 172 Skyhawk emits 440 kg, a gap of 220 kg. The trainer you pick and the hours you need are the two parts you control.
GuideWhat learning to fly costs the climate: 3 to 6 tonnes of CO₂, and how to halve itIn the US, a private pilot license typically takes 50 to 70 hours (AOPA; the FAA says about 75), or about 3 to 6 tonnes of CO₂ in a common trainer. Here is the math by trainer, how to cut it by about half, and where electric training stands.
GuideHow to cut your aircraft's fuel burn and CO₂Every US gallon of avgas you don't burn is 8.31 kg of CO₂ you don't emit. Leaning, power settings, altitude, ground time and maintenance, plus what unleaded fuel and electric trainers will and won't change.
Related licenses
LicensePrivate Pilot LicenceMinimum 45 hours, about 3,960 kg of CO₂ in a Cessna 172.
LicenseTransport Canada night ratingMinimum 20 hours, about 1,760 kg of CO₂ in a Cessna 172.
This summarizes the rule as of October 9, 2026; the regulation is the reference.
Offset the CO₂ from every hour you fly
Retire rated carbon credits for the CO₂ your flights emit. Pick your aircraft and hours, and get a certificate for every order.