Instrument Rating

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Open a new door to your aviation adventure  with an instrument  rating. This rating allows you to fly through the  clouds and to take  flight on days where most are grounded. Instrument  training not only  helps create a safer pilot but a more knowledgeable  pilot at well.  

-Hold a Private Pilots License or higher.
-Have 50 hours of cross country flight time
-Have 40 hours of simulated or actual instrument flight
-Receive 15 hours of instruction from an authorized instructor
-Pass FAA required exams
-Be Able to read, speak, and understand English.
*Some hours in your private pilot course count toward your instrument hours*
- A full list of requirements can be found under FAR Part 61  

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 We typically train for the Instrument rating in our Cessna 172  aircraft. We also have a Cessna 150 that is fully equipped for IFR  training and flight for cost savings 

Q: What are the Flight Experience Requirements?

A:  You must log:

1. 50 hours of cross-country flight time as pilot in command, of  which  10 hours must have been in an airplane (except if you are  applying for a  combined private pilot certificate and instrument rating  at the same  time, you may credit up to 45 hours of cross-country time  performing the  duties of pilot-in-command with an authorized  instructor)
2. 40 hours of actual or simulated instrument time in the required   areas of operation, of which 15 hours must have been received from an   authorized instructor who holds an instrument-airplane rating, and the   instrument time includes:

a.  Three hours of instrument  flight  training from an authorized instructor in an airplane that is   appropriate to the instrument-airplane rating within 2 calendar months   before the date of the practical test

b.   Instrument flight training on cross  country flight procedures,  including one cross country flight in an  airplane with an authorized  instructor, that is performed under  instrument flight rules, when a  flight plan has been filed with an air  traffic control facility, and  that involves-

i.  A flight of 250 nautical miles along airways or by directed routing from an air traffic control facility

ii.  An instrument approach at each airport

iii.  Three different kinds of approaches with the use of navigation systems.

Completion  time varies based on how often you train, how quickly you  learn, how  well you study at home, etc. We recommend you schedule at  least one  session per week, with two or three being more ideal for  making steady  progress and completing the program in fewer hours.

Q: What does it take to be eligible for a instrument rating?

A:  To be eligible for an instrument rating (airplane), you must:

1. Hold at least a current private pilot certificate, or be   concurrently applying for a private pilot certificate, with an airplane   rating
2. Be able to read, speak, write, and understand the English  language.  If you are unable to meet any of these requirements due to a  medical  condition, the FAA may place such operating limitations on your  pilot  certificate as are necessary for the safe operation of the  aircraft
3. Receive and log ground training from an authorized instructor or   accomplish a home-study course of training on the aeronautical  knowledge  areas required
4. Receive a logbook or training record endorsement from an  authorized  instructor certifying that you are prepared to take the  required  knowledge test
5. Receive and log training on the required areas of operation from  an  authorized instructor in an airplane, flight simulator, or flight   training device that represents an airplane
6. Receive a logbook or training record endorsement from an  authorized  instructor certifying that you are prepared to take the  required  practical test (checkride)
7. Pass the required knowledge test on the required aeronautical   knowledge areas; however, you are not required to take another  knowledge  test when you already hold an instrument rating (i.e. you  already have  an instrument rating for a different aircraft category,  such as  rotorcraft)
8. Pass the required practical test (checkride)

Knowledge requirements 

You  must receive and log ground training from an authorized  instructor or  accomplish a home-study course on the following  aeronautical knowledge  areas:

1. Federal Aviation Regulations of this chapter that apply to flight operations under IFR
2. Appropriate information that applies to flight operations under IFR in the “Aeronautical Information Manual”
3. Air traffic control system and procedures for instrument flight operations
4. IFR navigation and approaches by use of navigation systems
5. Use of IFR en route and instrument approach procedure charts
6. Procurement and use of aviation weather reports and forecasts and   the elements of forecasting weather trends based on that information  and  personal observation of weather conditions
7. Safe and efficient operation of aircraft under instrument flight rules and conditions
8. Recognition of critical weather situations and windshear avoidance
9. Aeronautical decision making and judgment
10. Crew resource management, including crew communication and coordination