Instrument rating
Encyclopedia
Instrument rating refers to the qualifications that a pilot
must have in order to fly under IFR
(Instrument Flight Rules). It requires additional training and instruction beyond what is required for a Private Pilot certificate
or Commercial Pilot certificate, including rules and procedures specific to instrument flying, additional instruction in meteorology
, and more intensive training in flight solely by reference to instruments
. Testing consists of a written exam and a practical test (known more commonly as the check ride). The check ride is divided into an oral component to verify that the applicant understands the theory of instrument flying and an actual flight to ensure the pilot possesses the practical skills required for safe IFR flight.
For most private pilots, the most significant value of flying under IFR is the ability to fly in instrument meteorological conditions
(such as inside clouds). Additionally, all flights operating in Class A airspace
, defined in the US as the airspace from 18,000 MSL up to FL 600 (roughly 60,000 feet), must be conducted under IFR. In the United States, an instrument rating is required when operating under Special visual flight rules
(SVFR) at night.
Requirements for Instrument Rating in the United States
under part 61 of the Federal Aviation Regulation are:
The Canadian
license VFR OTT (over the top) allows private as well as commercial pilots to cross IMC areas when start and end of the trip is performed under VFR conditions.
In the UK, private pilots can attend a less intensive training to acquire the IMC
rating, restricted to the national airspace. This does not confer the privileges of a full Instrument Rating, but allows flight in IMC
outside class A airspace, and flight on a SVFR
clearance with in-flight visibility below 10km (but more than 3km).
Aviator
An aviator is a person who flies an aircraft. The first recorded use of the term was in 1887, as a variation of 'aviation', from the Latin avis , coined in 1863 by G. de la Landelle in Aviation Ou Navigation Aérienne...
must have in order to fly under IFR
Instrument flight rules
Instrument flight rules are one of two sets of regulations governing all aspects of civil aviation aircraft operations; the other are visual flight rules ....
(Instrument Flight Rules). It requires additional training and instruction beyond what is required for a Private Pilot certificate
Private Pilot License
A Private Pilot License or, in the United States of America, a Private Pilot Certificate, is a license that permits the holder to act as the pilot of an aircraft privately . The requirements to obtain the license are determined by the International Civil Aviation Authority , but the actual...
or Commercial Pilot certificate, including rules and procedures specific to instrument flying, additional instruction in meteorology
Meteorology
Meteorology is the interdisciplinary scientific study of the atmosphere. Studies in the field stretch back millennia, though significant progress in meteorology did not occur until the 18th century. The 19th century saw breakthroughs occur after observing networks developed across several countries...
, and more intensive training in flight solely by reference to instruments
Flight instruments
Flight instruments are the instruments in the cockpit of an aircraft that provide the pilot with information about the flight situation of that aircraft, such as height, speed and altitude...
. Testing consists of a written exam and a practical test (known more commonly as the check ride). The check ride is divided into an oral component to verify that the applicant understands the theory of instrument flying and an actual flight to ensure the pilot possesses the practical skills required for safe IFR flight.
For most private pilots, the most significant value of flying under IFR is the ability to fly in instrument meteorological conditions
Instrument meteorological conditions
Instrument meteorological conditions is an aviation flight category that describes weather conditions that require pilots to fly primarily by reference to instruments, and therefore under Instrument Flight Rules , rather than by outside visual references under Visual Flight Rules . Typically, this...
(such as inside clouds). Additionally, all flights operating in Class A airspace
Airspace
Airspace means the portion of the atmosphere controlled by a country above its territory, including its territorial waters or, more generally, any specific three-dimensional portion of the atmosphere....
, defined in the US as the airspace from 18,000 MSL up to FL 600 (roughly 60,000 feet), must be conducted under IFR. In the United States, an instrument rating is required when operating under Special visual flight rules
Special visual flight rules
Special visual flight rules are a set of aviation regulations under which a pilot may operate an aircraft. It's a special case of operating under visual flight rules .- Use in different regions :...
(SVFR) at night.
Requirements for Instrument Rating in the United States
Instrument Rating in the United States
An Instrument Rating is required for a pilot to fly under instrument flight rules .In the U.S., the rating is issued by the FAA.-Instrument rating standards:To be eligible to pursue an Instrument Rating, the applicant must:...
under part 61 of the Federal Aviation Regulation are:
- 50 hours of Pilot in Command cross country
- 40 hours of simulated or actual instrument time
- 15 hours of flight instruction towards Instrument Rating
The Canadian
Canada
Canada is a North American country consisting of ten provinces and three territories. Located in the northern part of the continent, it extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west, and northward into the Arctic Ocean...
license VFR OTT (over the top) allows private as well as commercial pilots to cross IMC areas when start and end of the trip is performed under VFR conditions.
In the UK, private pilots can attend a less intensive training to acquire the IMC
Instrument meteorological conditions
Instrument meteorological conditions is an aviation flight category that describes weather conditions that require pilots to fly primarily by reference to instruments, and therefore under Instrument Flight Rules , rather than by outside visual references under Visual Flight Rules . Typically, this...
rating, restricted to the national airspace. This does not confer the privileges of a full Instrument Rating, but allows flight in IMC
Instrument meteorological conditions
Instrument meteorological conditions is an aviation flight category that describes weather conditions that require pilots to fly primarily by reference to instruments, and therefore under Instrument Flight Rules , rather than by outside visual references under Visual Flight Rules . Typically, this...
outside class A airspace, and flight on a SVFR
Special visual flight rules
Special visual flight rules are a set of aviation regulations under which a pilot may operate an aircraft. It's a special case of operating under visual flight rules .- Use in different regions :...
clearance with in-flight visibility below 10km (but more than 3km).
See also
- Instrument Rating in the United StatesInstrument Rating in the United StatesAn Instrument Rating is required for a pilot to fly under instrument flight rules .In the U.S., the rating is issued by the FAA.-Instrument rating standards:To be eligible to pursue an Instrument Rating, the applicant must:...
- Instrument rating in Canada
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- National Weather ServiceNational Weather ServiceThe National Weather Service , once known as the Weather Bureau, is one of the six scientific agencies that make up the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration of the United States government...
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- METARMETARMETAR is a format for reporting weather information. A METAR weather report is predominantly used by pilots in fulfillment of a part of a pre-flight weather briefing, and by meteorologists, who use aggregated METAR information to assist in weather forecasting....
- WeatherWeatherWeather is the state of the atmosphere, to the degree that it is hot or cold, wet or dry, calm or stormy, clear or cloudy. Most weather phenomena occur in the troposphere, just below the stratosphere. Weather refers, generally, to day-to-day temperature and precipitation activity, whereas climate...
- Weather forecastingWeather forecastingWeather forecasting is the application of science and technology to predict the state of the atmosphere for a given location. Human beings have attempted to predict the weather informally for millennia, and formally since the nineteenth century...
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- Weather mapWeather mapA weather map displays various meteorological features across a particular area at a particular point in time. Such maps have been in use since the mid-19th century and are used for research and weather forecasting purposes. Maps using isotherms show temperature gradients, which can help locate...
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External links
- "Be A Pilot" U.S. Flight Schools
- Hear audio of a US instrument rating checkride - Part 1
- Hear audio of a US instrument rating checkride - Part 2
- PilotOutlook: Instrument rating - requirements and approximate costs
- Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association
- Flight Training information for US pilot certificates and ratings
- Information IMC rating by CAAUnited Kingdom Civil Aviation AuthorityThe Civil Aviation Authority is the public corporation which oversees and regulates all aspects of aviation in the United Kingdom. The CAA head office is located in the CAA House on Kingsway in Holborn, London Borough of Camden...