Jim's Aviation Consulting

Professional Services

Professional Services

Instrument Rating

Expand your aviation skills with an instrument rating. If you plan on flying any cross-countries you will find the value of having an instrument rating.  Most pilots that have flown cross-country without an instrument rating have been delayed or even stranded at an airport. I have had to retrieve more then one none instrument rated pilot stuck at a far away airport do to weather.  Instrument training will increase your pilot skills and improve your knowledge of the national airspace system.

The FAA requires a pilot to have at least 40 hours of insrument flight time before receiving an instrument rating.  This time can be in actual instrument conditions (flying in weather) and/or simulated instrument conditions (flying using an authorized simulator, flight training device, or simulated instrument flight in an aircraft). An authorized flight instructor is required for at least 15 hours of the required 40.

I once heard a flight instructor give a potential instrument student some bad advice. The instructor told a student he could have his none instrument rated pilot friend serve as his safety pilot for his first 25 hours. This is a real bad idea. The pilot working on his instrument rating will be building bad habits that my be hard to break once with an instructor. The correct way would be for the instrument student to receive proper instruction during the beginning of his or her training and then use a safety pilot for practicing the skills he has already developed.

Instrument rating training requirement:

1. Must hold at least a private pilot certificate.
2. Recieve and log ground training from an authorized instructor or accomplish a home study coarse on the areas of aeronautical knowledge
3. Pass a written exam on the aeronautical knowledge areas.
4. Have at least 50 hours of pilot-in-command cross-country time
5. Receive 15 hours of instrument training with an authorized instructor
6. Have at least 40 hours of actual and/or simulated instrument time
• Flight training on required areas of operation.
• One x-country flight performed under IFR, and consists of at least 250 nautical miles;
• An instrument approach at each airport, and
• 3 different kinds of approaches with the use of navigation systems.
• 3 hours of instrument training within 60 days of the practical test.
7. Pass a practical flight test with an authorized FAA examiner.

Training Cost

The cost of training will depend on the amount of instruction you will need to obtain the skills required to operate an aircraft safely.  The FAA sets the minimums, but most pilots require more then the minimums to complete the training.  Another factor of cost is the time the student dedicates to training.   If you start your training and then stop, this can increase your cost.   You will get rusty and forget many skills which will require repeat training. The best way to lower your training cost is to be consistant with your taining and purchase one of Jim's training programs.

Aircraft For Training

The most expensive part of flight training is the cost of the aircraft.   This can be managed by picking the right aircraft for training.   Most students rent a single engine aircraft because they are great primary training aircraft and are less expensive to rent.  Each student pilot has different needs and wants so it is best to consult your instructor to help determine the best aircraft for your training.   Some students may have their own aircraft and the flight instruction can be accomplished with it.