What is an instrument rating?
The FAA has set up regulations for flight under conditions in which outside visual reference is not safe such as flying into the clouds. This is called Instrument Flight Rules (IFR). A flight under IFR must have an IFR flight plan which is a specific set of procedures where your sole reference to the airplane attitude and navigation is done through your cockpit instruments. Your instruments will relay information commonly used by simply looking out the window. Only a licensed and current instrument rated pilot is permitted to file and fly on an IFR flight plan.
Why should I get an instrument rating?
First, getting an instrument rating will make you a better pilot. You will gain a better understanding of many topics introduced in your private pilot training, such as aircraft equipment, navigation, weather, etc. Second, with an instrument rating, you are no longer restricted to flying on clear weather days. You do not have to worry about getting stuck at a temporary stop when some bad weather rolls in and waiting for clearer skies. You will be able to file an IFR flight plan and fly unrestricted through clouds and any airspace without having to ask permission.
What does it cost and how long does it take to get an instrument rating?
Obtaining the instrument rating costs about as much as a private pilot’s license, and takes approximately as much time. Most of the instrument training involves the application of newly learned procedures and regulations, so the more you study on your own, the shorter and less costly the training process.
The requirements for obtaining an instrument rating are set by Federal Aviation Regulations (FAR) and are stated as follows.
Instrument Rating Requirements (FAR Part 61.65)
Eligibility Requirements
- Hold a current private pilot certificate.
- Be able to read, speak, write, and understand the English language.
- Hold a third class FAA medical certificate from an Aeronautical Medical Examiner (AME).
- Receive ground training on the Aeronautical Knowledge areas listed below.
- Pass with a score of 70% or greater on a 60 question, multiple choice, knowledge test on the Aeronautical Knowledge areas listed below.
- Receive flight training on the Flight Proficiency areas listed below.
- Meet all the Experience Requirements listed below.
- Pass a practical test consisting of an oral exam and an in-flight exam with a FAA Designated Pilot Examiner (DPE) on the Flight Proficiency areas listed below.
Aeronautical Knowledge
- Federal Aviation Regulations that apply to flight operations under Instrument Flight Rules (IFR).
- Appropriate information from the “Aeronautical Information Manual” that applies to flight operations under IFR.
- Air traffic control system and procedures for instrument flight operations.
- IFR navigation and approaches by use of navigation systems.
- Use of IFR en route and instrument approach procedure charts.
- 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.
- Safe and efficient operation of aircraft under instrument flight rules and conditions.
- Recognition of critical weather situations and windshear avoidance.
- Aeronautical decision making and judgment.
- Crew resource management, including crew communication and coordination.
Flight Proficiency
- Preflight preparation.
- Preflight procedures.
- Air traffic control clearances and procedures.
- Flight by reference to instruments.
- Navigation systems.
- Instrument approach procedures.
- Emergency operations.
- Postflight procedures.
Aeronautical Experience
- 50 hours of cross country flight time as pilot in command, of which 10 hours must have been in an airplane.
- 40 hours of actual or simulated instrument time of which 15 hours must have been received from an authorized instructor who holds an instrument-airplane rating, and the instrument time includes:
- 3 hours of instrument flight training within 2 calendar months before the practical test.
- One cross country flight in an airplane with an authorized instructor, that is performed under IFR, when a flight plan has been filed with an air traffic control facility, and that involves a flight of 250 nautical miles along airways or by directed routing from an air traffic control facility, an instrument approach at each airport, and three different kinds of approaches with the use of navigation systems.