Instrument Rating Overview
The instrument rating prepares you for flight without any visual reference and requires you to learn the physical, mental and procedural skills to navigate an aircraft while in instrument meteorological conditions (IMC). The instrument rating while challenging is rewarding and fun. It will build your confidence as a pilot and allow you the freedom of flying in less than favorable weather conditions.
Course Details
Your personal flight instructor will guide you carefully through the required stages of flight and ground training to ensure your success in obtaining your instrument rating. Students will experience the Orange County airspace based out of John Wayne Airport in Santa Ana.
Instrument rating Flight Training
The flight training requirement of the instrument rating course is divided into three stages. The course follows a structured syllabus which ensures organization, consistency and safety.
stage 1
Attitude instrument flying
Instrument scanning
Instrument interpretation
Aircraft control
Steep turns, stall recoveries and unusual attitudes
Vertical S patterns
Pattern A and B
Tracking and intercepting courses
Radio navigation
Holding patterns
Stage 2
IFR aeronautical charts
Cockpit organization
Runway incursion avoidance
VOR approaches
Missed approaches
Straight-in and circling minimums
Procedure turns, DME arcs and holding
ILS approaches
Missed approaches with holds
Intersection holding
Single and Dual VOR instrument flight
Mental checklists
Navigation rules
Communications and lost communications
GPS navigation
GPS approaches
stage 3
IFR flight planning
En-route instrument flight
Filing flight plans
IFR flight from controlled and uncontrolled airports
IFR in the terminal area using tower en-route clearances
IFR cross-county
Preparation for the practical test
instrument rating Ground Training
Each pilot has the option of using an approved home study course, an approved ground school at a local college or university, or private ground school lessons provided by one of our authorized instructors. Your flight instructor will spend a considerable amount of time with you on the ground during your flight training to ensure your knowledge of all areas pertaining to your instrument rating certificate.
Instrument Rating
$11,495.00
includes aircraft, ground and flight instruction, and materials as specified in the training syllabus
Financing Available
The published cost of training is based on the hours required by the training syllabus. This actual cost of training varies based on the student’s learning abilities. Examiners fees are not included.
This certificate requires 50 hours cross-country time. Students will be required to build time to meet this requirement. This cost is not including in the pricing above. Students enrolled in this course will receive a special aircraft rental rate to meet the cross-country time requirements of this certificate.
Pricing is subject to change at any time.
FAA Requirements
The following requirements are required to obtain an Instrument Rating:
Hold at least a private pilot certificate
Be able to read, speak, write and understand the English language.
Hold a current medical certificate
Receive the appropriate ground and flight training by an authorized flight instructor which includes the following minimum times:
50 hours of cross-country time as pilot in command
40 hours of actual or simulated instrument time
15 hours with an authorized instructor that holds an instrument rating
Instrument flight training on cross country flight procedures
1 cross country flight with an authorized instructor under IFR
250 nautical mile cross-country flight
An instrument approach at each airport
3 different kinds of approaches with the use of navigation systems
Pass the required knowledge test
Pass the required practical test
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has set the above minimum requirements to obtain a instrument rating. The actual time it will take to complete the training varies. It’s important to remember that your training could be more than the minimum required depending your proficiency. All pilot applicants are trained to proficiency as required to pass the practical test administered by the FAA according to the Airmen Certification Standards (ACS).
Training Materials
The following is a list of publications, manuals and supplies that will be provided to you for your flight training:
SkyRoamers, Instrument Pilot Flight Training Manual by Ralph Butcher
SkyRoamers, Instrument Pilot Flight Training Syllabus
Pilot’s operating handbook for the airplane being flown
ASA The Pilot’s Manual - Instrument Flying
Airmen Certification Standards – Instrument Rating Airplane
*If you completed the private pilot certificate course with Pacific Flight Aviation, these materials were previously provided and will not be provided to you again.