ATA Flight School

The Instrument pilot certification program is for students who have completed the Private Pilot or Commercial Pilot Certification Program. It will allow the student to obtain the knowledge, skill, and experience necessary to meet the requirements to operate aircraft in Instrument Meteorological Conditions (IMC) in accordance with Federal Aviation Administration Regulations (FAR).

The Instrument Rating is probably the most important flying course that you will ever take. The instrument rating will permit the licensed pilot to operate a single-engine airplane in IMC. While most flying is done “on top”, in blue skies and sunshine, the instrument pilot is prepared for flight in the clouds from take-off till touchdown. For a full-time trainee, this 40 hour course could be completed in as little as 30 days, including the ground prep and written test.

Instrument rating requirements (FAR AIM Sec. 61.65) :

General: A person who applies for an instrument rating must:

Hold at least a current private pilot certificate with an airplane, helicopter, or powered-lift rating appropriate to the instrument rating sought;

Be able to read, speak, write, and understand the English language. If the applicant is unable to meet any of these requirements due to a medical condition, the Administrator may place such operating limitations on the applicant's pilot certificate as are necessary for the safe operation of the aircraft;

Receive and log ground training from an authorized instructor or accomplish a home-study course of training on the aeronautical knowledge areas of paragraph (b) of this section that apply to the instrument rating sought;

Receive a logbook or training record endorsement from an authorized instructor certifying that the person is prepared to take the required knowledge test;

Receive and log training on the areas of operation of paragraph (c) of this section from an authorized instructor in an aircraft, flight simulator, or flight training device that represents an airplane, helicopter, or powered-lift appropriate to the instrument rating sought;

Receive a logbook or training record endorsement from an authorized instructor certifying that the person is prepared to take the required practical test;

Pass the required knowledge test on the aeronautical knowledge areas of paragraph (b) of this section; however, an applicant is not required to take another knowledge test when that person already holds an instrument rating; and

Pass the required practical test on the areas of operation in paragraph (c) of this section in --

An airplane, helicopter, or powered-lift appropriate to the rating sought; or

A flight simulator or a flight training device appropriate to the rating sought and for the specific maneuver or instrument approach procedure performed. If an approved flight training device is used for the practical test, the instrument approach procedures conducted in that flight training device are limited to one precision and one nonprecision approach, provided the flight training device is approved for the procedure performed.