Instrument Rating

Take your flying skills to the next level by attaining the Instrument Rating. This rating is designed to help you master flying in a wider range of weather conditions and gain the confidence to navigate through clouds, low visibility, and complex airspace using only instruments. Whether you're pursuing aviation professionally or looking to enhance your personal flying skills, my personalized approach ensures that your training is tailored to your needs and goals. With a focus on safety, precision, and real-world application, we'll guide you through everything you need to become a skilled instrument-rated pilot.

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Why Get an Instrument Rating?

Expanded Flight Opportunities

With an instrument rating, you can legally and safely fly in various weather conditions, including low visibility, clouds, and at night. This increases your ability to complete flights that would otherwise be grounded due to weather.

Greater Confidence and Precision

Instrument training sharpens your decision-making skills, situational awareness, and ability to rely on instruments rather than visual cues, making you a safer, more confident pilot. You'll also become more precise in your flying techniques, as it enhances your overall skillset.

Foundation for Advanced Ratings

If you're considering a career in aviation, an instrument rating is essential for advancing to commercial, airline, or corporate flying roles. It is a key step toward more advanced certifications, such as the Commercial Pilot’s License or Certified Flight Instructor (CFI) rating.

Requirements

There are two different paths that the FAA lays out to obtaining licenses and ratings; Part 61 and Part 141. Part 61 offers more flexibility, allowing students to progress at their own pace with a flight instructor, making it ideal for those with varying schedules or learning preferences. Part 141, on the other hand, follows a more structured, formal curriculum often through flight schools or universities. While both programs meet FAA requirements, the choice depends on the student's learning style and goals.

That's why I prefer training 'Part 61 and a half' (not an FAA term) - Meaning, we will adhere to Part 61 requirements which allow me and my students to work quickly, but I also provide some structure in a training syllabus (see below) so there are no surprises on what we're going to do or where you are at in your progress.

To be eligible for a instrument rating, a person must:

• Hold at least a current Private Pilot Certificate

• Be able to read, speak, write, and understand the English language

• Pass the required knowledge test (Written)

• Meet the aeronautical experience requirements

• Pass the practical test ('Checkride' - Oral & Flight)

• Hold a valid FAA Medical Certificate

(Per FAR § 61.65(a) Instrument Rating Requirements: General.)

Don't get overwhelmed with this list, but this gives you an idea of all the things you'll be studying. Much of this will be done on your own with an online ground school (See Student Resources) and we'll go over it in person to make sure you're comfortable with the information.

A person who is applying for a instrument rating must receive and log ground training from an authorized instructor or complete a home-study course on these aeronautical knowledge areas:

• Federal Aviation Regulations that apply to flight operations under IFR;

• Appropriate information that applies to IFR in the “Aeronautical Information Manual;”

• 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;

• Aviation weather reports and forecasts;

• 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; and

• Crew resource management, including crew communication and coordination.

(Per FAR § 61.65(b) Aeronautical Knowledge.)

When we're in the air flying, we'll work at mastering the following areas that you will eventually be tested on in order to get your instrument rating. The fun part about instrument is that it will be filled with cross country trips. You'll also get some insight on these areas during ground school.

A person who applies for a instrument rating must receive and log ground and flight training from an authorized instructor on these areas of operation:

• Preflight preparation • Preflight procedures • Air traffic control clearances and procedures

• Flight by reference to instruments

• Navigation systems

• Instrument approach procedures

• Emergency operations

• Postflight procedures

(Per FAR § 61.65(c) Flight Proficiency)

Here are the hours you need in order to get your Instrument Rating.

A person who applies for a Instrument airplane rating must have logged:

• 50 hours of cross-country flight time as pilot in command

• 40 hours of actual or simulated instrument time

• 15 hours from an authorized instructor (CFII), to include: - 3 hours of instrument flight training within 2 calendar months before the practical test - One instructed cross country flight, performed under a IFR flight plan, and that involves: (A) A flight of 250 nautical miles along airways; (B) An instrument approach at each airport; and (C) Three different kinds of approaches with the use of navigation systems.

(Per FAR § 61.65(d) Aeronautical Experience)

Commercial Pilot Certificate Syllabus

Like I said before, my 'Part 61 and a half' training is about having some structure to keep both me and you on the same page to meet your goals. 'Stage Checks' are a term you normally hear at Part 141 programs, but I think they are very useful in the Part 61 environment as we get closer to getting you your instrument rating.

This stage is all about getting you comfortable flying the airplane with your eyes inside. Each of these lessons will push you to become more precise in the maneuvering and handling of the airplane. During these lessons, you'll be under a view-limiting device ("foggles" or a "hood") to simulate instrument meteorological conditions (IMC).

Lesson 1: The Oscar Pattern

Lesson 2: Unusual Attitudes

Lesson 3: Intercepting and Tracking

Lesson 4: VOR

Lesson 5: Holding Patterns

Lesson 6: On Course Descents

*Each of these lessons will last from 1.5 - 2.0 hrs.

The biggest part of flying when you can't see out your window is being able to land. This is where instrument approach procedures come in. They are our map and guide to get us down to the airport safely.

Lesson 1: Precision Approach 1 (LPV)

Lesson 2: Precision Approach 2 (ILS)

Lesson 3: Non-Precision GPS (RNAV)

Lesson 4: Non-Precision (VOR)

Lesson 5: Non-Precision (DME Arc)

*Each of these lessons will last from 1.5 - 2.0 hrs.

During this stage, we will focus on the IFR cross-country flight planning and executing instrument approaches. This is the cross-country flight of at least 250 nautical miles, along airways or on ATC-directed routing, with one segment of the flight consisting of at least a straight-line distance of 100 nautical miles between airports; involving an instrument approach at each airport; and involving three different kinds of approaches with the use of navigational systems.

Lesson 1: Instructed Cross Country

*This lesson will last 3.0 - 3.5 hrs.

By the time we get to this point, I will use a checklist to evaluate you in order to determine the next lessons. All tasks should meet the standards established in the ACS in order to be considered “checkride ready.”

You've learned everything you need to be an instrument rated pilot, now we're polishing it up for your practical test so you can go in proficient and confident.

Lesson 1: Mock Checkride 1

Lesson 2: Deficiencies

Lesson 3: Mock Checkride 2

*Each lesson will be 1.5 - 2.5 hrs long.

Instrument Rating

Why Get an Instrument Rating?

Expanded Flight Opportunities

Greater Confidence and Precision

Foundation for Advanced Ratings

Requirements

Eligibility Requirements

Aeronautical Knowledge

Flight Proficiency

Aeronautical Experience

Commercial Pilot Certificate Syllabus

Pre-Training

Stage 1: Instrument Navigation

Stage 2: Approaches

Stage 3: Cross Country

Checkride Preparation

Let's get you making money for flying!