What is an
Instrument Rating and why should I
have 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 have an instrument rating. An instrument rating is
also required when operating under Special
visual flight rules (SVFR) at night.
What kind of training
would I need to get my Instrument Rating?
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
Instrument Rating 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 Instrument Flight Training is 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 Rating:
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. Order your
"Cleared For Approach" training kit early and study through as
many of the computer labs as possible prior to starting your
Instrument Rating flight training course.
You will definitely see the importance of all of these when you are
taking your instrument flight training and especially on the
check-ride!
We hope you have found this
information to be helpful. If you have any additional questions,
please don't hesitate to contact us. We
would love to hear from you!
