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<\/h2>\n<\/h2>\nAn instrument rating makes every pilot a more knowledgeable, safer pilot. Instrument rated pilots will also be equipped with the aeronautical decision skills to stop and think <\/span>before you get into a situation<\/span> where you need to use your instrument flying skills. Attempting VFR flight in IMC is one of the most <\/span>consistently deadly<\/span> decisions or mistakes in all of aviation.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n History has shown us that weather-related general aviation accidents are often fatal. When pilots cannot see the horizon, spatial disorientation can onset rapidly. When John F. Kennedy, Jr. crashed his Piper Saratoga into the Atlantic Ocean near Martha\u2019s Vineyard, Massachusetts, on July 16, 1999, he did not have an instrument rating. The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) stated that Kennedy\u2019s failure to maintain control of the airplane was the <\/span>result of spatial disorientation<\/a><\/span>, with haze and the dark night being factors.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n There really is no downside to getting an instrument rating – just the money and time spent to get it. However, if you are pursuing any career in aviation, an instrument rating is a necessary milestone. If you will be regularly renting an aircraft, or plan to purchase one, you will most likely enjoy lowered insurance rates once you get an instrument rating.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n An instrument rating will allow you to legally fly without the visual reference of the ground or a horizon. In other words, you\u2019ll be able to fly from Point A to Point B without ever looking out your window (except for your take-off and touch-down). You will learn to stay ahead of the aircraft while managing tasks like changing radio frequencies, programming navigation equipment, and briefing and flying approaches, all while continually scanning your instrument panel.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Before you can take an instrument rating checkride, you must meet certain requirements and have logged certain training. One of the first questions that may come up on your instrument rating checkride may be about flight training requirements. The examiner will want to know that you met the requirements and that you understand them. IFR rating requirements can be found in <\/span>14 CFR \u00a7 61.65 \u00a7<\/span><\/a>. To summarize, to apply for an instrument rating, you must:\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n (1) Already have a private pilot certificate<\/a>, or be concurrently applying for a private pilot certificate with your instrument rating.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n (2) Be able to read, speak, write, and understand the English language.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n (3) Complete and log ground training with an authorized instructor – Instrument Ground Instructor (IGI) or Certified Flight Instructor – Instrument (CFII) – or accomplish a ground school home study course<\/a>.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n (4) Have a logbook endorsement from an authorized instructor (IGI or CFII) certifying that you are prepared to take the knowledge test<\/span><\/p>\n (5) Receive and log required training in an aircraft, full flight simulator, or flight training device, including:\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n (6) Receive a logbook endorsement from an authorized instructor certifying that you are prepared to take the required practical test;<\/span><\/p>\n (7) Pass the knowledge test (unless you already have an instrument rating in another category (helicopter or powered-lift)\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n (8) Pass the required practical test.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Talk to a few veteran instructors, airline, or corporate pilots, and some will tell you getting their instrument rating was the hardest part of their flight training. Others will tell you it was the easiest. Instrument flying takes a unique set of skills, including multitasking, problem-solving, and time management. Pilots must be able to make decisions quickly and with confidence. Some people adapt and learn instrument flying skills more easily than others.\u00a0 \u00a0Instrument flying is more about intellectual skills and systems management, VFR flying is more about the kinesthetic skill of flying the plane.<\/span><\/p>\n Instrument Rating ground school will get you ready for flight training and help you understand the tools and equipment you will be using to plan your flights and actually fly:\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Tip: IFR En-route charts are revised every 56 days, so make sure yours are current.\u00a0<\/span><\/i><\/p>\n Choosing a good ground school<\/a>, and taking the time to learn and understand everything will be extremely beneficial when you start flight training.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Like the private pilot certification, the instrument rating includes a knowledge test component (a computerized exam). The IRA (Instrument Rating Airplane) knowledge test is historically a challenging FAA knowledge test to take, with a lower pass rate than other FAA exams. You will have 2 hours and 30 minutes to take this 60 question test.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Although you only need a 70% score to pass, you should strive for the best possible score. The FAA has placed emphasis on examiners asking checkride candidates about missed knowledge test questions. Unlike other knowledge tests that do not require an endorsement (specifically, Fundamentals of Instructing, Flight Instructor Airplane, and Flight Instructor Instrument Airplane), you do need an endorsement from a CFII or an Instrument Ground Instructor (IGI) to take your Instrument Rating Airplane knowledge test.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Instrument students are well-advised to get this multiple-choice knowledge test out of the way as soon as possible. Once you\u2019ve passed it, you can focus on your flight training and checkride preparation. Many students choose to take their knowledge test before they begin flight training in an airplane. Your CFII can endorse you to take the knowledge test or an endorsement may be provided with the completion of an instrument rating ground school course<\/a>.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Before you take a checkride, you should take at least one mock checkride, and <\/span>watch mock checkrides<\/span>. Going start-to-finish through a full-length oral exam can help you prepare for any question you may be asked. Although you may be asked to learn IFR acronyms like 6-6-HIT (currency) , GRABCARD (equipment), and AVEF MEA (lost communications procedures) in your ground school, practice check rides can help you anticipate what you may be asked so that you can sail through, rather than struggle through.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n The <\/span>Airman Certification Standards (ACS)<\/span> establishes the aeronautical knowledge, risk management, and skills, and flight proficiency standards for the instrument rating. The ACS will tell you what is on the instrument rating practical test, and what references you can review to prepare, including:\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n The Designated Pilot Examiner (DPE) cannot ask you about anything that is not covered in the ACS. Your checkride will cover eight different sections of the ACS:\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n The examiner will ask you about pilot qualifications, weather information, and cross-country flight planning.\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n The examiner will ask you about airplane systems related to IFR operations, functions of flight instruments and navigation equipment, and how to check instruments in the flight deck. You may be asked about which equipment needs to be inspected regularly, such as your static pressure system. <\/span><\/li>\n \u00a0The examiner will ask you about procedures related to ATC clearances and your knowledge of lost communication procedures for flights that are outside of radar environments. You will also be asked to discuss and demonstrate holding procedures.\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n \u00a0You may be asked to demonstrate your understanding of attitude instrument flying, and demonstrate maintaining altitude and using proper instrument cross-check. The second part of this section is proper recovery from unusual flight attitudes (nose-low and nose-high)<\/span><\/li>\n You will be asked to demonstrate your understanding of ATC routes, including intercepting courses, radials, and bearings appropriate to a procedure, route, or clearance.\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n You will be asked to explain\/demonstrate your understanding of non-precision approaches, precision approaches, missed approaches, circling approaches, and landing from an instrument approach. <\/span><\/li>\n You will be asked to talk through a simulated loss of communication, and to fly an approach with inaccurate or inoperative flight indicators. <\/span><\/li>\n You will demonstrate procedures for checking the functionality of all installed flight instruments and navigation equipment.\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n Although the ACS is a \u201ctesting document,\u201d it is an excellent study document, and reference, for pilots wanting to do Instrument Rating checkride prep. For example, Appendix 10: Abbreviations and Acronyms is a good list of terms you may be asked to explain your understanding of.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Can you answer these ten sample instrument rating checkride questions<\/a>?\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\nWhat You Can Do With An Instrument Rating
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<\/b><\/h2>\nFlight Training Requirements for Instrument Rating\u00a0<\/b><\/h2>\n
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Which is Harder: Private Pilot Certificate or Instrument Rating?<\/i><\/h4>\n
Instrument Rating Ground School\u00a0<\/b><\/h2>\n
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The Instrument Rating Knowledge Test<\/b><\/h2>\n
Preparing for an Instrument Rating Checkride\u00a0<\/b><\/h2>\n
Breaking Down The Instrument Rating Airman Certification Standards – What You\u2019ll Be Tested On\u00a0<\/b><\/h2>\n
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Preflight Preparation<\/b><\/h4>\n
Preflight Procedures <\/b><\/h4>\n
Air Traffic Control Clearances and Procedures<\/b><\/h4>\n
Flight by Reference to Instruments<\/b><\/h4>\n
Navigation Systems <\/b><\/h4>\n
Instrument Approach Procedures <\/b><\/h4>\n
Emergency Operations <\/b><\/h4>\n
Postflight Procedures<\/b><\/h4>\n
Sample IFR Checkride Questions\u00a0<\/i><\/b><\/h3>\n