Instrument Rating

This is a program to allow a pilot to navigate legally and safely thru the clouds when traveling to your destination. Weather permitting, we suggest that all of our students fly in the clouds during the training to be able to actually experience what flying in the clouds is like.

Pre-Reqs FAA

  • Hold at least a current private pilot certificate or be concurrently applying for a private pilot certificate with an airplane, helicopter, or powered-lift rating appropriate to the instrument rating sought.
  • Be able to read, speak, write, and understand the English language.

Required Hours

You must have logged the following:

  • At least 50 hours of cross-country flight time as pilot in command. At least 10 of these hours must be in airplanes for an instrument-airplane rating.
  • A total of 40 hours of actual or simulated instrument time on the areas of operation listed in 14 CFR § 61.65 .
  • At least 15 hours of instrument flight training from an authorized instructor in the aircraft category for the instrument rating sought.

For instrument-airplane rating, instrument training on cross-country flight procedures that includes at least one cross-country flight in an airplane that is performed under instrument flight rules. This flight must consist of:

  • A distance of at least 250 nm along airways or ATC-directed routing.
  • An instrument approach at each airport.
  • Three different kinds of approaches with the use of navigation systems (Example: ILS, VOR, GPS, etc.)
  • At least 3 hours of instrument training that is appropriate to the instrument rating sought from an authorized instructor in preparation for the check-ride within two calendar months before the examination date.

Estimated Costs

  • $1,000 - 10 hrs on Simulator with Instructor
  • $5,950 - 35 hrs Flight Time
  • $2,100 - 35 hrs Flight Instruction
  • $600 - 10 hrs Ground Instruction
  • $250 - Kings Ground School Course
  • $150 - Books and Supplies
  • $175 - FAA Written Test
  • $800 - Examiner’s Fee

$11,025 - Estimated Total

Estimated Costs are based on $170/hr Wet for the aircraft and $60/hr for the Instructor.