Instrument Rating Airplane Training Course

The instrument rating is what allows a pilot to use his or her certificate for dependable transportation rather than just for fun and recreation.  If you need to be able to travel when the weather is less than optimum, the instrument rating is the ticket.  It is also a challenge to earn and requires the development of a skill set beyond that of the private pilot.  For all practical purposes, the instrument rating is a prerequisite for the commercial pilot certificate.  Hours accumulated during instrument training will count toward the 250 hours of flying time needed for the commercial pilot certificate.

Our instrument rating course is designed to prepare you to meet the requirements of the Federal Aviation Administration rules and regulations Part 61.

Phase one is learning to control and fly an airplane by reference only to the flight instruments.  This is called basic attitude instrument flying.  Once these skills are learned and developed, you will add navigation and communication skills.  Learning to comply with Air Traffic Control procedures under Instrument Flight Rules is next.  Included here are departure, en-route and arrival procedures, holding procedures and instrument approach procedures.  The final step is to put all these skills together and fly some cross country trips under an IFR flight plan with instrument approaches.

Completion of our instrument ground school course prior to or during the flight training will prepare you for the knowledge test.  We prefer to expose the instrument student to as much actual IMC as the weather in the Austin and surrounding areas will allow.  Before you get your rating, you will get some "in the soup" flying experience.  Nighttime is also an excellent environment for IFR training.  We can accomplish the entire training course at night if you'd like.

Basic Requirements:

• Be at least 17 years of age
• Hold at least a current private pilot certificate
• Complete a minimum of 50 hours Pilot-in-Command cross-country time
• Hold a valid FAA airman medical
• Pass the FAA Instrument Rating Knowledge Test
• Pass the FAA Instrument Rating Oral and Practical Flight Test

Estimated Cost (excluding fuel):

If you have your own aircraft:

Click here for information on our Instrument Ground School Course.