Instrument Flight Rating

Flying in instrument meteorological conditions (IMC) is dangerous without the proper skill. Acquiring your instrument flight rating allows you to fly in IMC and enhances your overall pilot skill. You learn how to fly with sole reference to instruments, how to follow instrument departure and approach procedures, and how to comply with air traffic control (ATC). On top of that, you will further develop precise control of the aircraft and aeronautical decision making, making you a better and safer pilot. 

IFR training is by far the most tedious and study-intense part of your training. Well, unless you want to be a CFI.

Instrument Rating requirements:

• Receive and log ground instruction from authorized instructor.
• Pass written exam.
• Meet aeronautical experience requirements.
  • Log 50 hours of cross-country flight time as pilot in command (your PPL solo XCs count towards this 50)
  • Log 40 hours of actual or simulated instrument training
    • 15 of which must be from authorized instructor 
  • 250 nm flight under an IFR flight plan with authorized instructor with three different kinds of instrument approaches.
• Pass practical FAA exam

IFR cost breakdown:

$600 - Textbooks & pilot supplies

$9,000 - 40 hours instrument training x (Me @ $65/hr + Airplane @ $160/hr)

$7,200 - 45 hour XC PIC (solo) 

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$350 - recommended ground school

OR

$1,950 - ground instruction 30 hours x $65/hr

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$1,000 - DPE fee

$18,150 - Total IFR Cost