The Instrument Rating is a rating that is added to your existing pilot certificate issued by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA).  This rating allow you to operate your ‘instrument certified’ aircraft solely by reference to the aircraft instruments under FAA Instrument Flight Rule.

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For the private pilot, an instrument rating dramatically expands your knowledge base and significantly increases the days you are legally able to fly when adverse weather conditions exist. For the commercial pilot, it provides a key element and qualification in pursuit of a flying career.   

To obtain your instrument rating, the FAA requires specific training to be accomplished, both ground instruction and flight instruction, along with the completion of the FAA Instrument Rating Knowledge test. The final step is a practical evaluation by a designated FAA examiner which consists of an oral discussion of knowledge areas and a flight evaluation of required maneuvers and procedures.

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Instrument Rating

Total flight time: 40 hours

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 Experience

 50 hours of cross-country flight time as PIC

      - 10 of these hours must be in airplanes for an instrument airplane rating                                               

40 hours of actual or simulated instrument time

15 hours of instrument flight training from CFI

1 cross-country flight under IFR

       -  250 nm along airways or ATC-directed routing

       -  Instrument approach at each airport

       -  3 different approaches (ILS, VOR, GPS, etc)

3 hours of instrument training from CFI 2 calendar months before the examination date                                                          

Aeronautical knowledge: Applicable FAR's & AIM, ATC procedures.  Navigation, approaches, charts & weather.  Safety under IFR (wind shear avoidance). Aeronautical decision making. Crew resource management.

Flight proficiency: Preflight preparation/procedures.  Clearances and procedures.  Flight by reference to instruments.  Navigation systems, instrument approaches, emergencies & postflight procedures.  

Simulator Training - 10 hours ATD, 20 hours advanced ATD under CFI supervision

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Ascend Aviation provides all the necessary training for the Instrument Rating

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Note: Proof of U.S. Citizenship is required.  In the form of U.S Passport or Birth Certificate with a photo ID.