The NEAC

INSTRUMENT RATING & INFORMATION

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.

Definitions:  IFR=Instrument Flight Rules, VFR=Visual Flight Rules, ATC=Air Traffic Control,

Wx=Weather, PIC=Pilot In Command

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.

(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.

Aeronautical Knowledge. Ground training or home study must include:

(7) Federal Aviation Regulations (FAR’s) that apply to IFR (Instrument Flight Rules) operations.

(8) Appropriate information that applies to IFR flight operations covered in the Aeronautical Information Manual (AIM).

(9) Air Traffic Control and procedures.

(10) IFR navigation and use of IFR charts and approach plates.

(11) Use of weather (Wx) reports, critical Wx, and wind shear avoidance.

(12) Crew resource management and coordination.

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:

(13) Preflight preparation.

(14) Preflight procedures.

(15) Air traffic control clearances and procedures.

(16) Flight by reference to instruments.

(17) Navigation systems

(18) Instrument approach procedures.

(19) Emergency operations.

(20) Post flight procedures.

Aeronautical Experience. A person who applies for an instrument rating must have logged the following:

(21) 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

(22) A total of 40 hours of actual or simulated (hood work) instrument time to include:

(23) At least 15 hours of instrument flight training from an authorized instructor in the aircraft category that the rating is to be for i.e. Airplane.

(24) At least 3 hours of instrument flight training with your instructor in review of the FAA practical test (check ride).

(25) Instrument cross-country flight training, to include at least one cross-country flight in instrument conditions, and consisting of

A distance of at least 250 nautical miles along airways or ATC directed routing.

An instrument approach at each airport, to include three different types of approaches.

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.

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.

These great instrument flying text books are available for purchase online at The NEAC Company Store!!!

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.

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!

The answer to this is no. In order to fly as PIC of an aircraft in instrument conditions, you must have an instrument rating. Though I wouldn’t refuse the opportunity to fly IFR with another properly rated pilot if asked to do so. Keep in mind that you can act as a safety pilot, if another pilot wants to put himself or herself under the hood. 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.

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.

An aircraft simulator does just that. It simulates an aircraft in flight at less then half of the cost! While perhaps the simulator doesn’t really fly, it sure will show how well you can! Flight simulators have 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 gets stressful, but is also a lot of fun!

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.

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.

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 (a device that will obscure your vision outside of the aircraft) . 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.

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 time requirements have been met to get an instrument rating, outside of the required 40 hours of instrument time. So in this scenario you would still need fourty hours of instrument or simulated instrument time. This is where an approved flight training simulator, such as the ATC 710 or Frasca models will save you money. Remember that under FAR 61.65, only 20 of those forty instrument hours need to be in an aircraft. The rest can be done in the simulator at a fraction of the cost! So lets put some numbers together. The following prices are as of 01-01-08. All prices are subject to change.

PRICES: (Subject to change)

Cessna 172 (4 seats)…………………………………$102.00 per flight hour.

Aircraft Simulator………………………………….....$  30.00 per use hour.

Flight Instructor………………………………..……..$  48.00 per use hour.

With using the times on the previous page 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.

17 hours of aircraft rental (for IFR training)..............................$1734.00

  3 hours of cross country flying (IFR)......................................$  306.00

20 hours of flight simulator time (w/instructor)...........................$1560.00

15 hours with an instrument flight instructor (FAR 61.65)..........$1800.00

20 hours of ground school (recommended)……......................$  960.00

Estimated cost for books……….........…………....................$  250.00

Required FAA tests (excluding FAA Medical)….....................$  350.00

Total price………........…..................................$ 5,880.00

Now lets take a moment to review the above prices. We took these numbers from a pilot that would be considered fairly experienced. Though 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 closer to 30 hours in the aircraft and about 10 hours in the simulator (instead of 20 hours). This would add about fifteen hours of airplane rental time with an instrument instructor, equaling $2,250.00 and reduce the aircraft simulator time by 10 hours with an instructor, equaling a reduction of $780.00. The reason why the simulator time ends up being reduced is because most instrument applicants will often prefer to train more in the actual airplane over the flight simulator, but that remains your choice. Bottom line, expect to add about $1,500.00 to the "Total Price" that was listed above.

Keep in mind that these figures also represent someone without any simulated instrument time. If you already have some simulated instrument time, as most pilots do, it can count towards your instrument training. This for sure will save you some additional money.

There are several ways do this. First off is by taking advantage of The NEAC's excellent "pay back program". If you put $1,500.00 down, The NEAC will credit your account for two free hours with a flight instructor, saving you over one-hundred dollars! 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 is always several different educational loans that might be available. Information on such can be found in aviation magazines as well as on the Internet.

The Northeast Aviation Concept’s “Lock In Prices”

(New Program: Begins on January 1^st, 2008)

     Beginning on January 1^st, 2008, The Northeast Aviation Concept will be launching our new “Lock In” program. What exactly is this? Plain and simple, if you enroll in our Instrument Rating training program, the airplane rental price that you begin at & flight instructor rate that you begin at will remain the same for at least six months. As we all know, fuel prices & insurance premiums these days change often and therefore greatly effect the rental rates of an airplane. This is an excellent way to keep the cost from changing on you once you have begun your flight training. The only requirement is that, during your flight training, you schedule to fly at least once a week. Not only will this program save you money, but it will also keep you task orientated towards getting your pilot certificate or rating. This new program is not common in the aviation industry and once again shows how our “Concept” of flight training differs from the rest! Contact The Northeast Aviation Concept management to get more information about enrolling in this great new “free” program.

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 NEAC® currently offers flight and ground training for the following certificates and ratings:

Recreational, Private, Instrument, Commercial, Flight Instructor, Airline Transport Pilot (SEL)

Our courses are designed for a one on one basis to allow for our instructors to give you the maximum attention. Click on any of the links below to get more information on the training!

The NEAC is also accessible via Internet and E-mail. Our web site is listed as www.theneac.com & our Email address is northeastaviation@gmail.com . For additional information, contact The Northeast Aviation Concept at (203) 558-4824. This document is copyright protected under The NEAC.