THE Adirondack Aviators Flying Company
A Division of The Northeast Aviation Concept LLC
KPBG - Plattsburgh, NY!
Instrument Rating
“The Instrument Rating”
“An informative view”
Second Edition 10-1-07
From: Flight Instructor’s Desk To: Certified Private Pilots
The Federal Aviation Administration requires that all instrument rating applicants meet certain standards and receive specific ground and flight training before being able to fly an aircraft in Instrument Meteorological Conditions (IMC) as the pilot in command. These rules are listed under the FAA Aviation Regulations Part 61. Below are some of the prerequisites the FAA has imposed prior to getting an instrument rating.
FAR 61.65 Instrument Rating Requirements
(a) A person who applies for an instrument rating must:
(1) Hold at least a current private pilot certificate with an airplane that is appropriate to the instrument rating sought &
hold a current FAA Medical.
(2) Be able to read, write, and understand English.
(3) Receive and log ground training from an Authorized FAA Instructor, or accomplish a home study course covering the
basic information needed to apply for an instrument rating.
(4) Receive a logbook or training record endorsement from an authorized FAA Flight Instructor certifying that the applicant
is prepared to take the test. Then receive a 70 or greater on the FAA computer exam.
(5) Receive the proper flight training required in either an aircraft or FAA approved flight simulator appropriate to the
instrument rating sought.
(6) Receive a logbook endorsement from an FAA Authorized Instructor stating that the applicant is prepared to take the
FAA practical test, and then pass such a test in the aircraft.
(b) Aeronautical Knowledge. Ground training or home study must include:
(1) Federal Aviation Regulations (FAR’s) that apply to IFR (Instrument Flight Rules) operations.
(2) Appropriate information that applies to IFR flight operations covered in the Aeronautical Information Manual (AIM).
(3) Air Traffic Control and procedures.
(4) IFR navigation and use of IFR charts and approach plates.
(5) Use of weather (Wx) reports, critical Wx, and windshear avoidance.
(6) Crew resource management and coordination.
(c) Flight Proficiency. A person wishing to obtain an instrument rating must receive and log training from an
instructor in an aircraft or approved flight training simulator. This must include:
(1) Preflight preparation.
(2) Preflight procedures.
(3) Air traffic control clearances and procedures.
(4) Flight by reference to instruments.
(5) Navigation systems
(6) Instrument approach procedures.
(7) Emergency operations.
(8) Post flight procedures.
(d) Aeronautical Experience. A person who applies for an instrument rating must have logged the following.
(1) At least 50 hours of cross-country time (logged after becoming a private pilot) of which 10 of those hours must have been in an airplane, for an instrument airplane rating. A cross-country flight is one that has a destination of fifty or more nautical miles, in a straight line, from your departure point
(2) A total of 40 hours of actual or simulated (hood work) instrument time to include:
(3) At least 15 hours of instrument flight training from an authorized instrument flight instructor in the aircraft category that the rating is to be for i.e. Airplane.
(4) At least 3 hours of instrument flight training with your instructor in review of the FAA practical test (check ride).
(5) Instrument cross-country flight training, to include at least one cross-country flight in instrument conditions, and consisting of
(a) A distance of at least 250 nautical miles along airways or ATC directed routing.
(b) An instrument approach at each airport, to include three different types of approaches with the use of navigation equipment.
Note: A maximum 20 hours of the 40 hours required in section 2 can be conducted in an approved flight training simulator if the instructor is authorized by The FAA to teach as an instrument instructor.
Why is the Instrument Rating (IR) called a rating and not a certificate?
An instrument rating is known as an “add on” to your private pilot certificate. Once you get your instrument rating, you’ll be listed as a private pilot with instrument privileges. If you had a Commercial Pilot Certificate, then you would be listed as a Commercial Pilot with Instrument privileges. This simply states that you have added on the ability to fly in poor weather and lower visibilities. Another example of a rating would be the Multi-Engine Rating.
What can I do with an Instrument Rating and why should I get one?
This question is an important one. The instrument rating, first off will enable you to fly in weather conditions less then VFR. This typically means in weather with visibilities fewer than 3 miles and a ceiling of less then 1000 feet. If such weather conditions exist, then the weather is known as IFR and only an instrument rated pilot can fly in those conditions. So lets put it in perspective. Say you go on a day trip with friends or family to Nantucket (ACK). While perhaps the weather forecast is supposed to be good, you notice that once you’re there and the day goes on, that fog is starting to form. This happens often on islands. Now the weather falls below VFR minimums and the field turns IFR. A VFR private pilot would be stuck, perhaps for days until the fog lifts, while an IFR pilot (pilot with an instrument rating) would still be able to take off safely and legally. I think this is a scenario that happens to all of us before we get our instrument rating. Even worse, imagine if you were traveling on business and you got stuck with your client just because you didn’t have the training to allow you to depart or even land at your destination. This can mean loss of profit, or even worse embarrassment and a loss of confidence in your clients. I always remember the moments just after I had gotten my temporary airman instrument rating, and saying to myself that I could now fly any day of the year regardless of the weather.
Is the Instrument Rating financially worth it?
Well, even though this question surprises me after my answer to the last one, I must admit that any question is possible. If the above answer didn’t convince you then consider this. If you own your own aircraft, the instrument rating will significantly lower your insurance premiums. Though this will depend on the company you have for insurance, I know in some cases it can save you hundreds of dollars a year. Why might you ask? Simple! The FAA, insurance companies, and many other pilots will all agree that the training you will receive to become an instrument rated pilot is invaluable! What you learn in this course doesn’t only make you a more competent pilot, but also a much more confidant one as well. It teaches you to control an aircraft in unusual conditions by sole reference to instruments as well as how to react to emergencies in a more efficient manner. Why refuse an education! You will be a better pilot and also learn how to use all that good stuff on the cockpit panel that might look foreign to you as a VFR pilot.
What will the instrument training be like?
The instrument rating training is quite different from what a VFR pilot would be used to. Simply stated, all those times that your primary VFR flight instructor told you to look at the horizon is gone. Outside of traffic collision avoidance while VFR, almost all of your time in the plane above a few hundred feet will be spent under the hood or foggles. This will teach you how to operate an aircraft under IFR conditions. Those stalls and steep turns you used to practice…. yes indeed, those will be done under the hood with reference to your instruments as well. You’ll get to do a few cross-country trips, how many will depend on your logged cross-country experience, which will build your confidence and abilities! Why would you not want to do this!
Will I fly solo IFR as I flew solo VFR before getting my license?
The answer to this is no. In order to fly as PIC of an aircraft in instrument conditions, you must have an instrument rating. Keep in mind that if you have the opportunity to fly IFR with another properly rated pilot, you may want to consider doing so. Remember that you can act as a safety pilot, if another pilot wants to put him or herself under the hood/foggles. For one to fly under the hood, another certified pilot, in the type of aircraft being used, must be on board and in the cockpit. This is called being a “safety pilot”. It’s a good way for you to learn some IFR stuff really cheap.
Do I need a medical certificate to get an instrument rating?
In this case you will. A current third class medical will be necessary for you to have in order to complete your instrument rating. Your flight instructor or flight school should have a list of local doctors able to administer the exam.
What is an aircraft simulator and will I use one?
An aircraft simulator does just that. It simulates an aircraft in flight at less then a third of the cost! While perhaps the simulator doesn’t really fly, it sure will show how well you can! The flight simulator at The Northeast ADK Flying Club has the ability to chart your course, simulate en-route and landing wind conditions, as well as simulate light to severe turbulence. It won’t take long before you forget that you’re not actually in the aircraft. Your instructor will be able to simulate situations that will for sure make your palms sweaty. Another advantage of the aircraft flight simulator is the ability to “freeze it” at any time and allow your instructor to explain what is going on, and how to improve on your mistakes. Then your instructor can simply “unfreeze” it and you’re back in the game. It’s a lot of fun! Keep in mind that even Microsoft makes a flight simulator training package that you can use right on your home PC. Of course you can’t actually log this flight time but it will get you used to the basic fundamentals of IFR flight.
Should I complete the instrument rating before my commercial certificate?
You do have the option to complete the commercial certificate prior to an instrument rating. Though, if this is what you are considering, keep in mind the following few regulations. To qualify for a commercial pilot certificate you will need 250 hours of total time, 100 hours of PIC time, and a break down of some instrument time and complex aircraft time. Also consider that a commercial pilot certificate without an instrument rating is highly restrictive in what you can do. Without an instrument rating, you are restricted from flying at night under commercial operations. You are also unable to fly a cross- country (50nm or more) flight as a pilot in command. This will definitely reduce your abilities to find employment as a commercial pilot. A commercial certificate without an instrument rating would work, for example, if you planned to fly for a company that needs a pilot for skydiving operations. This is because their flights are typically during the day and close to the departure airport.
How long is the average flight lesson?
The typical instrument flight lesson will consist of about one and one-half of an hour with your flight instructor. This is a little longer that the average private pilot lesson primarily because of its complexity and amount of detail necessary to accomplish everything under instrument or simulated instrument conditions. As always though, some lessons will be shorter and some longer such as cross-country lessons.
How long will the course take?
Strangely enough, weather will still play a big factor in this. Most of your flight training will be done in VFR conditions, while you are under the hood or foggles. This is required for practice instrument approaches and maneuvers. So weather can still cancel flights. Outside of that, we already know that this will depend on how much time you are willing to spend as well as how committed you are to finishing the training promptly. With home studying and an average of at least two lessons a week, you should be done in around six months. Less will take longer, as more often will take shorter. The dedicated have completed the course in only thirty days. Also keep in mind that you should check the availability of your potential instructor. Perhaps by this time you are already familiar with an instructor and have made your mind up. If not, then check to see how busy the instructor’s schedule is. This really does matter. To add to this, ask people about the credibility of the instructor. Another pilot may be able to give you some good information on an instructor or even recommend one to you.
What is the cost to complete this training?
The cost will definitely vary depending on how much total time you have and how much cross-country time you have logged since you got your private pilot certificate. Lets assume in this case, that you have already logged 50 hours of PIC cross-country time but you do not have any logged simulated instrument time. In this scenario, all the basic cross country time requirements have been met to get an instrument rating but the required 40 hours of instrument time have not been met. This is where an approved flight training simulator, will save you money. Remember that under FAR 61.65, you can substitute 20 hours of those forty instrument hours by using an FAA approved flight simulator. By doing this you can save well over a thousand dollars! So let’s put some numbers together. The following prices are as of 10-01-07. All prices are subject to change. Currently, The NEAC dba The Northeast ADK Flying Club, owns and operates a Cessna 172 that is used for IFR training.
PRICES:
Cessna 172 (4 seats)………………………………..$98.00 per flight hour.
Aircraft Simulator…………………………………...$30.00 per use hour.
Flight Instructor……………………………………..$45.00 per use hour.
With using the times on the listed above to complete the training as well as the above hourly cost, we can now figure out your average training cost. Please keep in mind that this is based on the above flight experiences that I mentioned. We will also say that we will be using the Cessna 172 Skyhawk in our figuring.
21 hours of aircraft rental (for IFR training) $2058.00
4 hours of cross country flying (IFR) $ 392.00
15 hours of flight simulator time $ 450.00
40 hours with a flight instructor $1800.00
20 hours of ground school (recommended) $ 900.00
Estimated cost for books $ 250.00
Required FAA tests (excluding FAA medical) $ 350.00
Total price $6200.00
Now let’s take a moment to review the above prices. We took these numbers from a pilot that would be considered fairly experienced, but the national average is a little different. Just as the FAA requires a private pilot to have a minimum of 40 hours of logged time, it is very seldom that one ever completes it so quickly. But it does happen. The average pilot can expect to spend around 25 hours in the aircraft and about 20 hours in the simulator. This would add about five hours of airplane rental time with an instructor, equaling $715.00 and five hours in the aircraft simulator with an instructor, equaling $375.00. So you can expect to spend just around seven thousand dollars plus tax. Not bad for all the experiences you will get out of it!
Keep in mind that these figures represent someone without any simulated instrument time. If you already have some simulated instrument time it can count towards your instrument training. This will for sure save you some additional money.
How can I help manage the cost of the instrument rating?
There are several ways do this. First off is by taking advantage of The NEAC’s excellent “pay back program”. If you put one $1,500.00 down, EFS will credit your account with one hour of airplane rental time for free! This is an excellent savings plan that I took advantage of when I learned to fly. It can save you hundreds of dollars over the entire course. Another way is the “pay as you go program”. This enables you to pay for each lesson at the time of completion. Another potential savings exists in your abilities to go and fly with another friend whom may be a certified pilot. In this case you can build cross-country time at half the cost. Also, as your instrument flight training begins and you are familiar with approaches, you can use this other pilot as a “safety pilot” thus reducing the cost of having a flight instructor on board. If none of those three can help you, there are always several different educational loans that might be available. Information on such can be found in aviation magazines (AOPA & Flight Training Magazine) as well as on the Internet.
After getting my instrument rating what other training can I get involved in?
Now that you’ll be able to fly in all types of weather conditions, you may want to consider upgrading your private pilot certificate to a commercial one. This course is typically quick and is completed in thirty days or less. See the Commercial Flying Information Brochure for more information. You can also get training in high performance or complex aircraft. These are planes with more then 200 horsepower or an aircraft with a constant speed propeller, flaps and retractable landing gear. You can also do these prior to getting an instrument rating as well. A multi-engine rating is also an excellent idea. After getting an instrument rating, the multi-engine program typically takes around seven to ten days if classes are attended on a regular basis. Also remember that there is no FAA computer exam required prior to getting a multi-engine rating.
My general recommendation, after getting your instrument, rating is to start working on your commercial pilot certificate. If you have the logged time, it’s quick and once completed will allow you to fly for compensation or hire. Then if you desire, start working on your Certified Flight Instructor (CFI) training. Once that is completed, you’ll be ready to start making some money and get to fly at the same time. Perhaps you’ll even be able to come work for us either full or part-time.
The ADK Aviators Club®, with the assistance of our aviation partners, currently offer flight and ground training for the following certificates and ratings. Our courses are designed for a one on one basis to allow for our instructors to give you the maximum attention.
(1) Recreational Pilot Certificate
(2) Private Pilot Certificate
(3) Commercial Pilot Certificate
(4) Airline Transport Pilot Certificate (Single Engine)
(5) Complex And High Performance Endorsements
(6) Instrument Rating
(7) Certified Flight Instructor
In aviation, the only limit is never getting involved!!! Call us today to schedule a tour and start accomplishing your dreams and goals!!!
The Adirondack Aviators Club
Plattsburgh International Airport (PBG)
(203) 558-4824
This document is copyright protected © under The Northeast Aviation Concept®.
Supplement 1
Updated March 30th, 2006
(For the Private Pilot Requirements & Instrument Rating Information Packages)
Due to the increase security awareness after September 11th, 2001, terrorist attacks, the TSA (Transportation Security Administration) has mandated that flight schools comply with the requirements of 49 CFR 1552.
In order to comply with 49 CFR 1552, the following requirements must be met BEFORE a student will be allowed to START flight training.
U.S. Born:
1. Must provide a copy of either a birth certificate or a passport verifying U.S.
Citizenship.
2. Must obtain a log book entry from an instructor conforming that the above
mentioned information was provided.
Naturalized U.S. Citizen:
1. Must provide a copy of either a passport or naturalization certificate verifying
U.S. Citizenship.
2. Must obtain a log book entry from an instructor conforming that the above
mentioned information was provided.
Non-U.S. Citizen:
- Must get approval from the TSA to begin training
- Go to https://www.flightschoolcandidates.gov
- Click on “New Account” under AFSP Training
- Fill out information requested. You will receive an email giving you a password so that you can complete the AFSP Training.
- Complete the AFSP Training
- Pay the $130.00 processing fee to the TSA online via a credit card
- Go to https://www.tsc-esc.com/printoffices/
- Contact your local police agency and complete the fingerprinting process
NOTE: After the fingerprinting process is completed, you will receive an email from the TSA approving or denying your request for flight training. Sometimes a request is initially denied because of the paperwork being filled out incorrectly. In this case, it is still possible to get approval for training after the corrections are made to the paperwork and re-submitted to The TSA. The entire approval process can take anywhere from a few hours up to two months to complete.
NOTE 2: All information provided to the flight school will be kept on record throughout the training duration. If for some reason the training is stopped, the information will remain on file at the flight school for up to 36 months from the day the information was provided.
