Instrument Rating (IR) - ACS Aligned
Prerequisites: Private Pilot Certificate, 3rd Class Medical
40+
Flight Hours
25-30
Ground Hours
8-12
Weeks (Typical)
$12,000
Estimated Cost
Rates: Airplane $169/hr | Instructor $65/hr
Ground Training Lessons
Reference: PHAK, IFH
Ground 1: Airplanes and Aerodynamics
- Flight Principles, Aerodynamics 3.0 hrs
Ground 2: Airplane Instruments, Engines, Systems
- Systems, Instruments 3.0 hrs
Ground 3: Airports, Air Traffic Control, Airspace
- Airport Operations, ATC 3.0 hrs
Ground 4: Federal Aviation Regulations
- FARs, Regulations 3.0 hrs
Ground 5: Airplane Performance, Weight & Balance
- Performance Calculations 3.0 hrs
Ground 6: Aeromedical Factors, ADM
- Medical, Decision Making 2.0 hrs
Ground 7: Aviation Weather
Ground 8: Aviation Weather Services
- Weather Reports, Forecasts 2.5 hrs
Ground 9: Navigation: Charts, Computers
Ground 10: Navigation Systems
Ground 11: Cross-Country Flight Planning
Flight Training Lessons (GLEIM)
Part 61 Flight Lessons
STAGE ONE - Basic Instrument
- Flight 1: Introduction to Instrument Flight 1.0 hr
- Flight 2: Instrument Orientation 1.0 hr
- Flight 3: Basic Instrument Flight Maneuvers 1.5 hr
- Flight 4: Rate Turns, Timed Turns 1.5 hr
- Flight 5: Altitude Changes 1.0 hr
- Flight 6: Review 1.5 hr
STAGE TWO - Navigation
- Flight 7: VOR Navigation 1.5 hr
- Flight 8: VOR Approaches 1.5 hr
- Flight 9: ADF Navigation 1.5 hr
- Flight 10: GPS Direct Operations 1.5 hr
- Flight 11: RNAV Approaches 1.5 hr
STAGE THREE - Approaches
- Flight 12: Nonprecision Approaches 1.5 hr
- Flight 13: ILS Approaches 1.5 hr
- Flight 14: Missed Approaches 1.5 hr
- Flight 15: Circling Approaches 1.5 hr
- Flight 16: Full Approach 1.5 hr
Flight Training (ACS Aligned)
FAA Instrument Rating Airplane ACS (FAA-S-ACS-8C) - 8 Areas of Operation
Area I: Preflight Preparation
- Task A: Pilot Qualifications 1 hr
- Task B: Weather Information 1.5 hrs
- Task C: Cross-Country Flight Planning 2 hrs
- Task D: Destination Airport Analysis 1 hr
Area II: Preflight Procedures
- Task A: Aircraft Systems Related to IFR Operations 1.5 hrs
- Task B: IFR Preflight Procedures 1 hr
Area III: Air Traffic Control Clearances and Procedures
- Task A: ATC Clearances and Communications 1.5 hrs
Area IV: Flight by Reference to Instruments
- Task A: Attitude Instrument Flying 2 hrs
- Task B: Straight and Level Flight 1 hr
- Task C: Constant Rate Turns 1 hr
- Task D: Timed Turns 0.5 hrs
- Task E: Level Altitude Changes 0.5 hrs
- Task F: Vertical Speed Changes 0.5 hrs
- Task G: Rate Climbs and Descents 0.5 hrs
Area V: Navigation Systems
- Task A: Navigation Systems 1.5 hrs
- Task B: Intercepting and Tracking Navigation Systems 1.5 hrs
Area VI: Instrument Approach Procedures
- Task A: Nonprecision Approach Procedures 2 hrs
- Task B: Precision Approach Procedures (ILS) 1.5 hrs
- Task C: Approach Procedures - Circling 1 hr
- Task D: Missed Approach Procedures 1.5 hrs
Area VII: Emergency Operations
- Task A: Emergency Procedures 1.5 hrs
- Task B: Equipment Malfunctions 1 hr
- Task C: Emergency IFR Operations 1 hr
Area VIII: Postflight Procedures
- Task A: Postflight Procedures 0.5 hrs
Flight Training (ACS Aligned)
Flight hours distributed across all Areas of Operation
Minimum Hours per FAR 61.65
- Total Instrument Time 40 hrs minimum
- Actual or Simulated Instrument Time 40 hrs (15 sim OK)
- Hood/Simulator Time Up to 20 hrs
- Instrument Approaches 50 minimum
- Cross-Country IFR 250 nm minimum
Flight Training by Area
- Area I: Preflight Preparation 2 hrs
- Area II: Preflight Procedures (IFR systems) 3 hrs
- Area III: ATC Clearances & Procedures 2 hrs
- Area IV: Flight by Reference to Instruments 10 hrs
- Area V: Navigation Systems 4 hrs
- Area VI: Instrument Approaches 15 hrs
- Area VII: Emergency Operations 3 hrs
- Area VIII: Postflight 1 hrs
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