An instrument rating is add-on rating to a pilot’s current certificate. A pilot with an instrument rating can fly under (IFR) Instrument Flight Rules and fly into (IMC) instrument meteorological conditions. Instrument pilots are rated to fly solely by reference to their flight instruments.

Below are the basic requirements to become eligible for an instrument rating:

•hold at least a private pilot certificate

•be able to read, speak, write and understand English

•pass a written and practical exam

•log a minimum of 50 hours of cross country PIC

•log 40 hours of instrument time to include: ◦15 hours of instrument flight training

◦not more than 20 hours of simulator training

◦one 250nm cross country flight