Requirements
1. Hold at least a Private Pilot Certificate.
2. Be able to read, write, and converse fluently in English.
3. Hold a current third-class FAA medical certificate. a. You must undergo a routine medical examination which may be administered only by an FAA-designated doctor called an Aviation Medical Examiner (AME) b. Even if you have a physical handicap, medical certificates can be issued in many cases. Operating limitation may be imposed depending on the nature of the disability. c. Your FAA-Certificated Flight Instructor (CFI) or Fixed-Base Operator (FBO) will be able to recommend an AME.
4. Receive and log ground training from an authorized instructor or complete either an online study course or home-study course to learn the following:
a. Federal Aviation Regulations (FARs) that apply to flight under Instrument Flight Rules (IFR)
b. Appropriate information that applies to flight operations under IFR in the Aeronautical Information Manual (AIM)
c. Air traffic control system and procedures for instrument flight operations
d. IFR navigation and approaches by use of navigation systems
e. Use of IFR en route and instrument approach procedure charts
f. Procurement and use of aviation weather reports and forecasts and the elements of forecasting weather trends based on that information and personal observation of weather conditions
g. Safe and efficient operation of aircraft under instrument flight rules and conditions
h. Recognition of critical weather situations and windshear avoidance
i. Aeronautical decision making and judgment
j. Crew resource management, including communication and coordination 5. Pass the FAA instrument rating knowledge test, at an FAA-designated computer testing center, with a score of 70% or better. The instrument rating knowledge test consists of 60 multiplechoice questions selected from the airplane-related questions in the FAA's instrument rating test bank.
6. Accumulate appropriate flight experience (FAR 61.65)
a. 50 hours of cross-country flight time as pilot-in-command (PIC), of which at least 10 hours must be in airplanes
b. A total of 40 hours of actual or simulated instrument time in the areas of operations listed in item 7 below, including:
i. 15 hours of instrument flight training from a CFII
ii. 3 hours of instrument training
7. Demonstrate flight proficiency (FAR 61.65). Receive and log training and obtain a logbook endorsement by your CFII on the following areas of operation:
a. Preflight preparation
b. Preflight procedures
c. Air traffic control clearances and procedures
d. Flight by reference to instruments
e. Navigation systems
f. Instrument approach procedures
g. Emergency operations
h. Post-flight procedures Successful complete a practical (flight) test given as a final exam by an FAA inspector or Designated Pilot Examiner (DPE); conducted as specified in the most current version of the FAA’s Instrument Pilot Practical Test Standards (PTS).
2. Be able to read, write, and converse fluently in English.
3. Hold a current third-class FAA medical certificate. a. You must undergo a routine medical examination which may be administered only by an FAA-designated doctor called an Aviation Medical Examiner (AME) b. Even if you have a physical handicap, medical certificates can be issued in many cases. Operating limitation may be imposed depending on the nature of the disability. c. Your FAA-Certificated Flight Instructor (CFI) or Fixed-Base Operator (FBO) will be able to recommend an AME.
4. Receive and log ground training from an authorized instructor or complete either an online study course or home-study course to learn the following:
a. Federal Aviation Regulations (FARs) that apply to flight under Instrument Flight Rules (IFR)
b. Appropriate information that applies to flight operations under IFR in the Aeronautical Information Manual (AIM)
c. Air traffic control system and procedures for instrument flight operations
d. IFR navigation and approaches by use of navigation systems
e. Use of IFR en route and instrument approach procedure charts
f. Procurement and use of aviation weather reports and forecasts and the elements of forecasting weather trends based on that information and personal observation of weather conditions
g. Safe and efficient operation of aircraft under instrument flight rules and conditions
h. Recognition of critical weather situations and windshear avoidance
i. Aeronautical decision making and judgment
j. Crew resource management, including communication and coordination 5. Pass the FAA instrument rating knowledge test, at an FAA-designated computer testing center, with a score of 70% or better. The instrument rating knowledge test consists of 60 multiplechoice questions selected from the airplane-related questions in the FAA's instrument rating test bank.
6. Accumulate appropriate flight experience (FAR 61.65)
a. 50 hours of cross-country flight time as pilot-in-command (PIC), of which at least 10 hours must be in airplanes
b. A total of 40 hours of actual or simulated instrument time in the areas of operations listed in item 7 below, including:
i. 15 hours of instrument flight training from a CFII
ii. 3 hours of instrument training
7. Demonstrate flight proficiency (FAR 61.65). Receive and log training and obtain a logbook endorsement by your CFII on the following areas of operation:
a. Preflight preparation
b. Preflight procedures
c. Air traffic control clearances and procedures
d. Flight by reference to instruments
e. Navigation systems
f. Instrument approach procedures
g. Emergency operations
h. Post-flight procedures Successful complete a practical (flight) test given as a final exam by an FAA inspector or Designated Pilot Examiner (DPE); conducted as specified in the most current version of the FAA’s Instrument Pilot Practical Test Standards (PTS).