The first rating after attainment of the private pilot certificate is the instrument rating, typically obtained at approximately 150 hours of total flight time (The FAA does not specify minimum total hours for this rating). The instrument rating prerequisite is a private pilot certificate and includes a minimum of 35 hours of flight instruction.
The Tech program adds an additional 15 hours of solo flight and 56 hours of pilot-in-command cross-country flights of at least 50 nautical miles from point of departure. This allows the student to fly productive instrument training flights While accumulating the flight time requirements of the Commercial Pilot Certificate. The most efficient route to the instrument rating requires commencing work on the instrument rating immediately after receiving the private pilot certificate.
All flying after the private license should be oriented towards the 56 hour cross-country requirement. Instrument experience can be accumulated by using a vision limiting device (normally an instrument hood) and flying with an appropriately rated safety pilot aboard. This experience can be attained without a flight instructor aboard during cross-country flights, but the safety pilot must be at least a private pilot (although not necessarily instrument rated).
Instrument Rating Requirements
- Completion of PA 300, 306, 307, 310, and 311
- 3rd Class Medical Certificate
- Advanced Aviation Weather
- Instrument Ground School I and II
- Instrument Flight I and II
- Pass FAA Written Exam with Minimum Score of 70%
- Pass Flight Check
- Oral Exam and Flight Check
Minumum Flight Times
Dual Flight 19 Hours
Solo Flight 56 Hours
Simulator Flight 17 Hours
Oral Instruction 28.5 Hours
Simulator flight training devices are an excellent tools for obtaining instrument experience. In some ways, flight simulators are superior to aircraft for instrument training, and up to 20 of the required flying hours hours may be completed in an approved simulator such as those utilized in the Tech program. Academically, this is the most advanced license or rating, since it requires considerable coordination and mental skills at a point where the student is still fairly low in flight experience. Under ideal conditions, the student could obtain the private pilot certificate during their second quarter at Tech and the instrument rating by the end of the fourth quarter. The same medical certificate (Class III) obtained as a student pilot may be utilized for the instrument rating. It is valid for a total period of two years. All flight time accumulated towards the instrument rating can be utilized as required flight experience required for the Commercial Pilot Certificate.
