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In very simple terms, the instrument rating allows pilots to safely fly in and through clouds. This can be extremely helpful to being able to complete a flight safely and efficiently. Even if you don’t anticipate conducting flights in ‘bad weather’, the instrument rating is a wonderful tool for cross country flying within the airway system. Instrument Rated pilots are safer, more precise in their flying and adherence to procedures and statistically less likely to be involved in an aviation accident.
Requirements for an instrument rating:
Hold at least a private pilot certificate.
Be able to read, write, and converse fluently in English.
Hold a current FAA medical certificate.
Receive and log ground training from an authorized instructor or complete a home-study course, Other excellent resources for your instrument training will include: the invaluable Jeppesen Instrument/Commercial Manual, the FAA’s Instrument Procedures Handbook and Instrument Flying Handbook
Subjects include:
FARs
IFR-related items in the AIM
ATC system and procedures
IFR navigation
Use of IFR charts
Aviation weather
Operating under IFR
Recognition of critical weather
Aeronautical Decision Making (ADM)
Crew Resource Management (CRM)
Pass the FAA instrument rating knowledge test with a score of 70% or better.
Accumulate flight experience (FAR 61.65):
50 hrs of cross-country flight time as pilot in command, of which at least 10 hrs must be in airplanes:
The 50 hrs includes solo cross-country time as a student pilot, which is logged as pilot-in-command time.
Each cross-country must have a landing at an airport that was at least a straight-line distance of more than 50 NM from the original departure point.
A total of 40 hrs of actual or simulated instrument time in the areas of operation listed in 7. below, including:
15 hrs of instrument flight training from a CFII (CFII is an instructor who is authorized to give instrument instruction) in the aircraft category for which the instrument rating is sought.
at least 3 hrs from an authorized instructor in preparation for the practical test within the 60 days preceding the test.
Cross-country flight procedures that include at least one cross-country flight in an airplane that is performed under IFR and consists of:
A distance of at least 250 NM along airways or ATC-directed routing
An instrument approach at each airport
Three different kinds of approaches with the use of navigation systems
Demonstrate flight proficiency (FAR 61.65). You must receive and log training, as well as obtain a logbook sign-off (endorsement) from your CFII on the following 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
Post flight procedures