INSTRUMENT RATING
Open Up Your Flight Path
For many pilots, a private pilot license is sufficient for their needs. It allows them to fly under visual flight rules (VFR) in clear weather conditions with certain visibility requirements.
To operate an aircraft under any other conditions, the pilot must be instrument rated.
The prerequisites for instrument rating are shown to the right and include holding a private pilot license. Once you have achieved this milestone, look at the list to the right to see what the requirements are for obtaining your instrument rating.
Aeropro flight school aircraft are IFR (Instrument Flight Rules) aircraft. Any additional aircraft added to the flight school will also be IFR.
There are many schools that will tell you the firm "cost" of obtaining your instrument rating only to have you be surprised later. On balance, a instrument rating costs in the range of $7.000.00 - $8,000.00. These costs are driven by student needs (more time in the aircraft to skill build for example). For someone considering an instrument rating, calculate your return on investment (potential career, buying an IFR plane and using it under IFR conditions, flying under IFR conditions, entrepreneurial opportunity). This is a commitment and should be worth the opportunity cost and investment to you.
Career Path: If you wish to join the airlines, you can find more data about costs, how to cover costs, and potential employers here.
Financing: If you need help financing your flight training, click here.
Instrument Rating
Taken from 14 CFR 61.65 – Aeronautical Experience
Prerequisites
⬜ Minimum of private pilot certificate and third-class medical (or greater)
⬜ Read, speak, write, and understand English
⬜ 70% or better score on FAA instrument pilot knowledge test
Minimum Aeronautical Experience
⬜ 50 hours of cross country flight time as PIC
⬜ 40 hours of actual or simulated instrument time that includes at least –
⬜ 15 hours of dual training with an authorized instructor (CFII)
⬜ An approved basic aviation training device (BATD) may be used to log a maximum of 10 hours of dual training towards the rating. An approved advanced aviation training device (AATD) may be used to log a maximum of 20 hours of dual training towards the rating.
⬜ Must make at least one cross-country flight performed under IFR at least 250 NM along airways or ATC-directed routing and includes an instrument approach at each airport, performing a total of three different kinds of instrument approaches.
⬜ 3 hours of practical test prep flights within the preceding 2 calendar months with a CFII