INSTRUMENT RATING SUMMARY

1. Hold at least a private pilot certificate
2. Must be able to read, speak, write and converse fluently in English.
3. Hold a current FAA medical certificate
4. Receive and log ground training or complete a home-study course.
5. Pass the instrument rating knowledge test with a score of 70% or better. The instrument rating test consists of 60 multiple-choice questions. All FAA tests are administered at FAA-designated computer testing centers.
6. Accumulate flight experience (FA 61.65)
a. 50 hrs. of cross-country flight time as pilot in command, of which at least 10 hrs. must be in airplanes
• The 50 hrs. includes solo cross-country time as a student pilot, which is logged as pilot-in-command time.
• Each cross-country must have a landing at an airport that was at least a straight-line distance of more than 50 NM from the original departure point
b. A total of 40 hrs. of actual or simulated instrument time in the areas of operations listed below, including
• 15 hrs. of instrument flight training from a CFII
• 3 hrs. of instrument training from a CFII in preparation for the practical test within 60 days preceding the practical test
• Cross-country flight procedures that include at least one cross-country flight in an airplane that is performed under IFR and consists 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
c. If the instrument training was provided by an authorized instructor, a maximum of 20 hrs. permitted in an approved flight simulator or flight training device
7. Demonstrate flight proficiency (FAR 61.65). You must receive and log training, and obtain a logbook sign-off (endorsement) by your CFII on the following areas of operations.
8. Successfully complete a practical test

Aeronautical Knowledge Requirements (Ground Training)
• FARs that apply to flight operations under IFR
• Appropriate information that applies to flight operations under IFR in the Aeronautical Information Manual
• Air traffic control system and procedures for instrument flight operations
• IFR navigation and approaches by use of navigation systems
• Use of IFR en route and instrument approach procedure charts
• Procurement and use of aviation weather reports and forecasts and the elements of forecasting weather trends based on that information and personal observation of weather conditions
• Safe and efficient operation of aircraft under instrument flight rules and conditions
• Recognition of critical weather situations and windshear avoidance
• Aeronautical decision making and judgement
• Crew resource management, including crew communication and coordination

Flight Training Requirements
• Preflight preparation
• Preflight procedures
• Air traffic control clearances and procedures
• Flight by reference to instruments
• Navigation systems
• Instrument approach procedures
• Emergency operations
• Postflight procedures

Contact me if you have any questions:
mail@jassentodorov.com
(415)624-6975