Instrument Rating
Instrument is the next logical step to training after completing the private pilot certificate for the individual looking to broaden their capabilities and safety as a pilot. The rating itself is added onto either a private or commercial pilot certificate. With and instrument rating a pilot is qualified to fly under instrument flight rules (IFR) where a non-instrument pilot would be limited to only visual flight rules (VFR).
FAR Part 141
Ground Training: 30 hours minimum.
Total Time: 35 hours minimum which consists of at least:
Dual: 35 hours minimum of flight training with an instrument instructor on the Instrument areas of operation including at least one cross country flight that
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Is in the category and class of airplane that the course is approved for, and is performed under IFR;
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Is a distance of at least 250 nautical miles along airways or ATC-directed routing with one segment of the flight consisting of at least a straight-line distance of 100 nautical miles between airports;
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Involves an instrument approach at each airport; and
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Involves three different kinds of approaches with the use of navigation systems.
The Instrument Rating
To be eligible for the Instrument Rating you must:
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Be 17 years of age
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Hold at least a private pilot certificate
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Read, speak, and understand the English language
FAR Part 61
Total Time: 50 hours cross country time as PIC and 40 hours of simulated or actual instrument time in the areas of operation for instrument pilots.
Dual: 15 hours minimum of flight training with an instrument instructor on the Instrument areas of operation including:
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Three hours of instrument flight training from an authorized instructor in an airplane that is appropriate to the instrument-airplane rating within 2 calendar months before the date of the practical test; and
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Instrument flight training on cross country flight procedures, including one cross country flight in an airplane with an authorized instructor, that is performed under instrument flight rules, when a flight plan has been filed with an air traffic control facility, and that involves -
a) A flight of 250 nautical miles along airways or by directed routing from an air traffic control facility;
b) An instrument approach at each airport; and
c) Three different kinds of approaches with the use of
navigation systems.