Click image to view original
The IMC rating allows you to pilot your aircraft in slightly worse weather conditions, wher visibility is lower than visual meteorological conditions. The rating is designed to give you the skills to divert to an area of better weather, or land in deteriorating weather conditions. The IMC rating is a UK rating* and therefore is not valid in other countries.
Specific experience requirements must be met before applying for the IMC rating. The training - all dual with an instructor -- consists of a minimum of 15 hours, including 10 hours flying solely by reference to the aircraft's instruments. The student will have to pass both a written theoretical examination and practical flight examination. The rating is valid for 25 months and in order to renew it a practical flight test must be passed.
When flying in IMC conditions, even the private pilot is expected to demonstrate a high level of skill and professionalism. With the excellent Air Traffic service and facilities available at Durham Tees Valley Airport we are able, locally, to train students in a variety of instrument approaches as well as enable them to experience en-route procedures in a radar-controlled environment.
* Owing to changes in European aviation legislation due to come into force in 2012, the IMC Rating may change, or even be withdrawn. Nevertheless, we firmly believe that any instrument training carried out before then will always stand the private pilot in good stead.