Instrument Rating

What to Expect?

Click here for FAA requirements

If you are interested in your Instrument Rating, then you most likely have already earned your Private Pilot certificate and have been enjoying the benefits of personal aviation. The Instrument Rating is a fantastic way to build on your current set of skills, to challenge your abilities and reach a new level of pilot development.

As we stated on the Private Pilot page, we understand the challenges that personal, work and extra-curricular acclivities can place on you. We train in an exclusive one-on-one environment. We specialize in adapting your training to fit with the demands of business travel. We also excel at helping you take full advantage of the private aviation world.

Real-world experience

Most of your Instrument training is scenario-based. We can incorporate a scenario or two into a business trip or pleasure trip. The more "real-world" experience you have during training, the better prepared you will be. The flight training for this rating will be a mix of "cross country" flights and local training flights.

FAA Exam

If you haven't taken the FAA written exam before beginning the flight instruction, don't fret. There is a lot of information to review in the Instrument world. Fortunately, it is very organized and logical. There are two main books that the FAA has published that will cover just about everything you need to know in addition to the weather information that you studied while earning your Private Pilot certificate. The FAA written exam is 60 questions pulled at random from the material you will have studied.

After completing your FAA written exam and your flight requirements, you'll be ready to prepare for your Instrument practical exam. This will consist of a discussion and flight with a certified examiner that covers the material you have studied. Most of the discussion will revolve around scenarios that could arise during a flight that they asked you to prepare for the discussion.

Upon finding you competent in your understanding of Instrument material during the discussion, they will then accompany you on a flight in the plane during, which, they ask you to perform the maneuvers and approaches that you have been practicing. An Instrument Rating applicant that spends quality time preparing, will perform well throughout and, short of any possible natural test anxiety, find it to be a great experience.

Obtaining Hours

A word of caution, an individual working toward an Instrument Rating may begin the process with a certain number of hours in mind that it should take to complete the process. Any responsible goal setter should! However, life happens. And the learning process is unique for each person. Many training centers will quote a price based on low time completion in an effort to gain interest only to have the student end up frustrated because it takes longer than expected and, consequently, cost more than anticipated.

Any experience that you have built as a Private Pilot will accelerate your preparation for your Instrument rating. If you are able to commit some time 2-3 days a week to flying and 4-5 hrs a week studying, then you will most likely be well prepared for the practical exam in less than 3 months and around 40 hrs of flight time. You could be ready before then. As noted on our accelerated training page, it is possible to accomplish your Instrument Rating in a few weeks if you are able to dedicate 100% of your attention. The dream is real and within your reach!