How to get your Instrument Rating in Flight Training

Once your receive your private or commercial pilot certificate after flight training, the next step you would want to complete is acquiring your instrument rating. This is important because without it, you will be very limited in where, when, and how you fly.

What is an instrument rating?

Instrument rating is a pilot’s qualification to fly in less than VFR (visual flight rules) conditions. VFR conditions are weather conditions generally clear enough to allow the pilot to see where the aircraft is going. You must be able to see outside the cockpit to control the aircraft’s altitude, navigate, and avoid other aircrafts when there is congestion. Obviously this is very limiting, which is why it’s important to get your instrument rating while flight training.

You need your instrument rating to fly under IFR (Instrument Flight Rules). IFR are regulations and protocols for flying by relying solely on the aircraft instrument panel for navigation. Even if nothing can be seen in the outside environment, a pilot with his Instrument rating is authorized to fly in Class A airspace, which is between 18,000 to 60,000 feet and rely on Air Traffic Control procedures to maintain separated from other aircraft.

How do I get it?

To get your instrument rating, you must acquire additional flight training, a private pilot or commercial pilot certificate, and additional education in meteorology. You will be subject to an additional written exam. The exam will cover:

• Airplane instruments
• Airplane systems
• Federal Aviation Regulations
• Airports and airspace
• Airplane performance
• Aeromedical factors
• Weather
• Navigation
• Cross-country flying
• Instrument approaches
• Instrument Flight Rules en route

Next is your check ride.
A check ride is both an oral exam to prove the student understands the theory of instrument flying, and a test flight to see if the pilot has the practical skills.

How long does it take?

Under part 61 of the Federal Aviation Regulation, in order to receive your instrument rating, you must complete:

• 50 hours of Pilot-in-Command cross country
• 40 hours of simulated or actual instrument time
• 15 hours of specific flight instruction on Instrument Rating