Mark Norman

Instrument Rating

Open up a whole new world in your flying experience! This rating will open the door to fly on less than desirable weather days that will keep the non-instrument pilots on the ground. You will become a more competent pilot. The instrument rating requirements, as specified in 14 CFR 61.65, are summarized here:

• Hold at least a current private pilot certificate or be concurrently applying for a private pilot certificate.
• Be able to read, speak, write, and understand the English language.
• You must have logged the following:
• At least 50 hours of cross-country flight time as pilot in command. At least 10 of these hours must be in airplanes for an instrument-airplane rating.
• A total of 40 hours of actual or simulated instrument time on the areas of operation listed in 61.65(c).
• At least 15 hours of instrument flight training from an authorized instructor in the aircraft category for the instrument rating sought.
• For instrument-airplane rating, instrument training on cross-country flight procedures that includes at least one cross-country flight in an airplane that is performed under instrument flight rules. This flight must consist of:
  • A distance of at least 250 nm along airways or ATC-directed routing.
  • An instrument approach at each airport.
  • Three different kinds of approaches with the use of navigation systems (Example: ILS, VOR, GPS, etc).
• At least 3 hours of instrument training that is appropriate to the instrument rating sought from an authorized instructor in preparation for the check-ride within two calendar months before the examination date.