Instrument Rating (Airplane) Training
An Instrument Rating adds the ability to fly by sole reference to instruments and operate under Instrument Flight Rules (IFR) — expanding where and when you can fly safely.
What an Instrument Rating Enables
An Instrument Rating allows a certificated pilot to operate under IFR — flying in clouds and reduced visibility, through controlled airspace, and on published instrument approach procedures. It is widely considered one of the most valuable additions to a Private Pilot Certificate, improving both safety margins and trip reliability.
FAA Part 61 Minimum Requirements
Per 14 CFR 61.65 — Instrument Rating, Airplane.
- 50 hours of cross-country flight time as pilot in command, of which at least 10 hours must be in an airplane
- 40 hours of actual or simulated instrument time, of which at least 15 hours must be instrument flight training from an authorized instructor
- Instrument training on cross-country flight procedures, including one instrument flight of at least 250 nautical miles along airways or ATC-directed routing, with an instrument approach at each airport and three different kinds of approaches using navigation systems
These are FAA-mandated minimums. Most students require more than the minimum to reach checkride proficiency, and a current Private Pilot Certificate is a prerequisite.
Instrument Training on a Modern Glass Cockpit
Chapman Flight Academy's Cessna 172H is equipped with dual Garmin G5 electronic flight displays, a Garmin GTN-750 IFR-certified navigator, and a Garmin GFC-500 autopilot — the same class of avionics found in modern IFR-capable general aviation aircraft. Training in this environment means learning to fly approaches, hold procedures, and instrument scans on equipment directly comparable to what you'll fly after certification.