When to start instrument rating
What Does It Take To Get Your Instrument Rating | FAA Requirements
All right, so you're a pilot and you want to take the next step and get your
instrument rating. Which begs the question what does it take to get your
instrument rating? Well, the answer to that coming up.
Getting your instrument rating is a great thing. It unlocks a whole new
level of flying and helps you become a better safer pilot. As well as give you
some other perks. Today we're going to go through the requirements found in FAR
section 61.65 which I'll go ahead and link down in the description below. Now,
let's get started with the prerequisites. The first thing you're going to need is
your private pilot's certificate. If you're just exploring aviation and found
this video, you can check out the description down below and what it takes
to get your private pilot license. Or, more accurately, the Private Pilot
certificate which is what it's actually called. We go over the actual FAA
regulations to get one and talk about how much it should cost you. But the next
prerequisite you need to be able to speak write and understand English.
I know this may sound silly since its a requirement for the private pilot
certificate, but it's still a requirement here because sometimes English may not
be a pilot's first language and language skills diminish over time. So, think of it
more like a proficiency check. Last you're going to need 50 hours of
cross-country time as pilot-in-command. This is to give you real-life experience
beyond your initial flight training. Now not all 50 hours need to be completed to
get started with your instrument rating. But, you do need to have 50 hours before
you take your instrument check ride. I recommend having about 30 to 35 hours
completed before you start your instrument training and you can complete
the rest as you go through it. So ,that's all the prerequisites but there is one
more thing you should consider doing before you really get started. Just like
the Private Pilot certificate, the instrument rating has a written test.
You'll need to receive and log ground training from your instructor or take a
course that provides a certificate of completion saying you're ready for the
test. Again, this isn't a prerequisite to get started. You can actually take your
test at any point to your training, but we recommend getting your written done
first. If you do, you'll understand what you're doing,
reduce your workload, and it'll help things go more smoothly. So what's going
to be covered in the test? Well, things like regulations, navigation, approach
procedures, weather, aircraft operations, single pilot resource management, and
decision-making related specifically to instrument flight rules, or IFR for short.
Alright so those are all the prerequisites and hopefully it's through
written test out of the way you're ready for your flight training. Now, you're
going to need 40 hours of instrument time that covers: pre-flight preparation,
pre-flight procedures, air traffic control clearances
Procedures, flight by referenced instruments, navigation systems,
instrument approach procedures, emergency operations, and post flight procedures.
Now, the list seems short but there's a lot of training to go over in each
category. There is some good news though, not all the training has to be done in
an aircraft. You can use an FAA approved flight training device or simulator. Now
don't confuse a simulator you play it on your computer with an FAA approved
flight training device. In some scenarios they may use the same software but
approved flight training devices are exactly what they sound like, approved for
flight training, so you can log time in them. Using a simulator can be a great
choice that offers a lot benefits. Like, less the workload, lower costs, and
enhanced training. If you're getting your instrument training under far part 61,
you can use a simulator for a maximum of 20 of your 40 hours of instrument time.
So let's talk a little bit more about the 40 hours, like how you only need a
certified instructor for 15 hours of it. Crazy right? The other 25 can come
through other people like a friend who's a private pilot and qualified to act as
pilot command. They can be your safety pilot while you practice logging time
for your training this may or may not be helpful though because most people will
need close to 40 hours of dual instruction anyways. But, it's good to
know that there's an option. Towards the end of your training you need to be able
to practically apply the knowledge you'll learn by taking your instructor
on a 250 mile cross-country IFR flight. You'll need to plan the flight, file a
flight plan, and be directed by air traffic control byte direct routing or
along. Airways each stop along your route needs to be made using instrument
approaches and you'll have to conduct three different approaches and using
your plane's navigation systems. It's quite the task but it'll get you ready
for your instrument check ride. Speaking of your check ride you need to make sure
you have at least three hours of training from your instructor within the
preceding two calendar months before you take it. Then you just need to make sure
your instructor fills out the proper endorsements in your logbook before the
day of the check ride. Just like your private pilot certificate it consists of
an oral portion to see how you apply the things you've learned and a flying
portion to make sure able to safely apply them. Alright, that should be
everything you need to know about what it takes to get your instrument rating.
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