Instrument Rating (IFR)

  • $190/hr - Aircraft

  • $80/hr - Instructor

  • $50/hr - Simulator (FREE when keeping current)

  • 40 hour minimum to qualify for license (2-6 months average with Private Pilot License)

An Instrument Rating is a rating that allows you to fly when the weather prevents flying by sight, also known as Visual Flight Rules, (VFR). Instrument Flight Rules, (IFR) will allow you to fly solely by reference to instruments, thereby getting from your origin to your destination without ever having to look out the window, except for landing and takeoff.  This is a valuable skill to learn! Even if you never plan to fly in sub-optimal conditions, as weather patterns can inevitably change quickly while in the air, knowing how to fly solely by instruments can better help you navigate through sticky situations.  Invariably, as you can imagine, it also allows for much more efficient and direct flights from one place to another, especially when flying cross country.

In addition, Instrument rating training familiarizes students with the National Airspace System, radar and with air traffic control operations.

Why Earn an Instrument Rating?

There are several reasons why a pilot might want to earn an instrument rating on their pilot certificate, including:

Safety! 
Even if a pilot never intends to fly through clouds or conditions outside of visual flight rules (VFR), the instrument rating provides an extra layer of safety just in case things do not go as planned during a flight. Not only will the pilot understand more about the weather and what to expect, if the pilot encounters less than optimal weather conditions, they will be in a much better condition to safely handle the situation.

Mobility

IFR certification allows you to fly in weather conditions that often ground other pilots. IFR is a must during certain times of year and in certain parts of the country if you wish to continually fly.

To become a flight instructor.
A pilot must achieve an instrument rating if they want to become a flight instructor in the future.

Fly as a commercial pilot
While it is technically possible to earn a commercial certificate without obtaining an instrument rating, doing so severely limits the types of jobs and flying you can do with your commercial certificate. Commercial airliners routinely fly above 18,000ft. in “Class A” airspace, where IFR flight rules are required unless otherwise authorized.

Eligibility

  • Read, speak, write and understand the English language

  • Hold at least a current private pilot certificate, or apply for a private pilot certificate along with their instrument rating

  • Receive and log ground training from an authorized instructor or accomplish a home study course for the aeronautical knowledge required for the rating

  • Receive an endorsement from an authorized instructor to take, and pass, the instrument rating knowledge test

  • Receive and log the required flight training

Instrument Rating Requirements

Note: Many of the required hours can be accumulated from your Private Pilot flight hours or time spent on an FAA certified simulator. You may not need to “re-do” previously obtained flight hours.

  • 50hrs Cross-Country PIC (10 of these hours must be in an airplane)

  • 40hrs of actual or simulated instrument time (15hrs of which must be with an authorized instructor)

  • 250 nautical mile cross-county along airways or directed by air traffic control

  • Instrument approach at each airport

  • Three different kinds of approaches with the use of navigation systems

  • See: 14 CFR 61.65 for detailed requirements

Candidates for an instrument rating will learn a wide array of knowledge in regards to the rating itself and aviation in general, providing a deeper level of understanding of the dynamics of flight.