Instrument Rating refers to the qualifications that is required in order to fly according to Instrument Flight Rules (IFR). Instrument rating is a must if you want to become a professional pilot and fly for long distances as a private pilot.

Course entry requirements

Minimum age of 18 years

Third class medical certificate

At least PPL (A) (Private Pilot License)

English language skills

Privileges

The privileges of a holder of an IR are to fly aircraft under IFR with a minimum decision height of 200 feet (60 m).

Ground training

The applicant has to go through ground training covering:

Air law

Instrumentation

Flight planning & monitoring

Human performance & limitations

Meteorology

Radio navigation

Communications

Course duration

The module course covers at least 200 hours of self-study and class sessions (for Part 141).

Flight training

Basic instrument flight module:

Basic instrument flight without external visual cues (horizontal flights, climbing, descending, turns in level flight, climbing, descending)

Instrument pattern

Steep turn

Radio navigation

Recovery from unusual attitudes

Partial panel

Recognition and recovery from incipient and full stalls

Procedural instrument flight module:

Pre-flight procedures for IFR flights, including the use of the flight manual and appropriate air traffic services documents in the preparation of an IFR flight plan

Procedure and maneuvers for IFR operation under normal, abnormal and emergency conditions

transition from visual to instrument flight on take off

standard instrument departures and arrivals

en route IFR procedures

holding procedures

instrument approaches to specified minima

missed approach procedures

landings from instrument approaches, including circling

In flight maneuvers and particular flight characteristics