INSTRUMENT PILOT

What is it?

After obtaining your Private Pilot Certificate, the instrument rating is the next logical step. It will not only enhance your flying skill and make you a safer and more proficient pilot, but will also give you more flexibility on when and where you can fly due to being able to fly through the clouds.

What to expect:

STEP ONE

Ground School: Enroll in an in person or online ground school to get the fundamental knowledge needed to pass the instrument written exam and fly in the instrument system.

STEP TWO

Begin Flight Training: Learn the fundamentals of instrument flying, including departures and approaches with an instructor. Learning to fly without a reference to the horizon and flying completely by reference to instruments not only takes time to adapt to but a new skillset. Combining the knowledge from ground school with actual flying skill will help to correlate the information so you better understand it for your written, as well as practical use.

STEP THREE

Checkride: After completing the written and requisite hours, you should be prepared for the checkride. Once you are ready, your instructor will help you find an examiner so you can take your checkride. The checkride consists of an oral examination, as well as a practical (flying) examination.

STEP FOUR

Instrument Rating Complete! Now that you have completed your instrument rating, you can go practice your skills in actual conditions without an instructor present. It is your duty to maintain currency and proficiency for your own safety and the safety of others.