The Instrument Rating is the second step in most pilot training programs, and gives you the most freedom to fly where you want, and when you want, than any of the licenses or ratings you will earn. As a Private Pilot you will be doing your flying under the VFR, or Visual Flight Rules. Under these rules there are weather conditions and visibility restrictions that you must abide by. However, an Instrument Rating opens up an entirely new world of IFR, or Instrument Flight Rules, flying for you to explore and enjoy.



Certain weather conditions such as clouds, fog, and haze can make it very difficult for a Pilot to navigate by visual reference to the ground as we do in VFR flying. Flying at high altitudes also makes it very hard to pick out and see landmarks and visual references. The Instrument Rating teaches you to navigate by relying solely on the navigational instruments in your aircraft and electronic navigation aids on the ground and in space. Learning to use these Instruments and Navigational Aids will allow you to know precisely where you are every second of your flight.

For those wanting to go on to become Commercial Pilots, the Instrument Rating is a must have rating, as 95% of the flying you will be doing as an Airline Pilot will be done under these IFR rules.

Instrument Rating Course Breakdown

Hours	Item Description
40	Flight 172SP Glass Cockpit Aircraft with Instructor
40	Ground Instruction
1	Private Pilot Kit
1	GACA Private Pilot Written Exam
10	ATD Simulator Training Device
Total Flight Hours: 50