What is an Instrument Rating - and why do I need one?

An Instrument Rating is a rating that is added to a Private Pilot or Commercial Pilot License and refers to the qualifications that a pilot must have in order to fly under Instrument Flight Rules or IFR. It requires obtaining additional flight training from a qualified Certified Instrument Flight Instructor (CFII), including rules and IFR procedures to enable the pilot to legally and safely operate a properly equipped aircraft in Instrument Meteorological Conditions (IMC). Additional instruction in weather and more intensive instrument flight training in flight solely by reference to instruments is the core of Instrument Flight Training. Testing consists of a knowledge exam and a practical test (known more commonly as a check-ride). The check ride is divided into an oral part and a flight part.

For most pilots, the most significant value of flying under IFR is the ability to fly in instrument meteorological conditions (such as inside clouds). Additionally, all flights operating in Class A airspace must be conducted under IFR. In the United States, thus any pilot who plans to operate an aircraft capable of flying above 18,000 feet, such as a turbo-prop or a very light jet (VLJ) will definitely need to be instrument rated. An instrument rating is also required when operating under Special visual flight rules (SVFR) at night.

What kind of training would I need?

Under the FAA's regulations in Part 61.65, a person applying for an instrument rating must receive and log ground training from an authorized instrument flight and/or ground instructor or have completed a home-study course which will sufficiently prepare the applicant to pass the FAA Aeronautical Knowledge Exam. The knowledge exam covers areas such as FAA regulations, the air traffic control (ATC) system, IFR navigation for enroute and instrument approach procedures, weather and decision making skills.

Additionally, the Instrument Rating candidate needs to have logged at least 50 hours of cross-country flight time as pilot-in-command, 40 hours of simulated and/or actual instrument flight time (up to 20 of these hours can be logged on an FAA approved flight simulator, the remaining 20 must be logged in an airplane with an appropriately rated safety pilot), 15 hours of instrument flight instruction with an authorized instrument flight instructor (CFII) of which at least 3 hours within the 60 days preceding the date of the Practical Test.

How much will my training cost?

Depending on a number of factors, the total investment will vary from person to person. Factors that can and will impact the cost of training for your instrument rating can include the following considerations:

• Training in your own airplane verses the flight school's airplane
• Does the flight school have an FAA approved simulator (simulator time is much more cost and time efficient than aircraft flight time)?
• Whether or not you have already logged some or all of your prerequisite PIC cross-country time.
• The frequency of your flight lessons. At least 3 lessons a week is recommended in order to maintain a maximized retention rate. Accelerated Flight Training is almost always the best scenario for getting your instrument rating in the most cost and time efficient way possible.
• How much RECENT flight time you have logged. A rusty pilot will likely need additional time to complete their training due to degraded overall piloting skills.

There are other factors that can impact your total investment but these are the main ones for consideration as you plan for your Instrument Rating flight training.

I recently completed my Private Pilot training, now I want my Instrument Rating!

Excellent! Congratulations on your recent accomplishment!

Here are some suggestions for you to prepare for your instrument training course:

1. Fly as often as possible to stay proficient and whenever possible fly with another Private Pilot (as safety pilot) so you can log some simulated instrument time.

2. Always plan your cross-country flights well and fly your plan. Don't just go out and bore holes in the sky!

3. Fly to a different airport EVERY TIME in order to give yourself new challenges and experiences.

4. File a flight plan and DON'T FORGET TO CLOSE YOUR FLIGHT PLAN upon arrival.

5. As much as possible, fly on airways and use electronic navigation (VOR/GPS/NDB). This will help you to get used to navigating IFR style!

6. Use "flight following" whenever possible. This will help you to get used to being "in the system" and communicating with ATC.

7. Don't let yourself get sloppy! Practice flying with precision; holding altitude (no more than +/- 100 feet off your planned altitude), holding airspeed (no more than +/- 10 knots off your planned airspeed) and staying on course (no more than +/- 10 degrees off your heading).

8. ALWAYS USE YOUR CHECKLIST for pre-flight and ALL PHASES of flight.

9. Time and fuel permitting; do two or three touch and goes before taxiing back to the FBO.

10. Start shopping for a quality flight training provider who can help you attain your goal in the most cost-and-time efficient way possible.

You will definitely see the importance of all of these when you are taking your instrument flight training and especially on the check-ride!

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