Eligibility Requirements

To obtain an Instrument Rating under FAR Part 61, you must:

• Hold at least a Private Pilot Certificate

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

• Hold at least a current FAA medical certificate

• Receive a logbook endorsement for the FAA Knowledge Test

• Pass the FAA Instrument Rating Knowledge Test

• Pass the FAA Instrument Rating Practical Test (Checkride)

• Aeronautical Experience Requirements

  A person applying for an Instrument Rating must log the following flight experience:

  Instrument Time

  • 50 hours of cross-country flight time as Pilot in Command

  • 40 hours of actual or simulated instrument time

  The instrument time must include:

  • 15 hours of instrument flight training with a Certified Flight Instructor – Instrument (CFII)

  Cross Country Requirement

  • One IFR cross-country flight of at least 250 nautical miles that includes:

  Three different types of instrument approaches

  At three different airports

  Using airways or ATC-directed routing

  Privileges

• File and operate on IFR flight plans

• Fly instrument approaches such as ILS, RNAV (GPS), VOR, and Localizer approaches

• Increase safety by maintaining control of the aircraft using instruments alone

• Expand your travel capability by flying when weather conditions would normally prevent VFR flight

An Instrument Rating is one of the most valuable ratings a pilot can earn and significantly improves a pilot’s safety, precision, and overall skill level.