Why You Need It
Safety
Even if you only fly under VFR, an instrument rating adds safety for unexpected situations. It enhances weather understanding and allows safe cloud flight in an IFR-equipped aircraft if needed.
Greater opportunity to fly
With an instrument rating, a pilot may safely climb through a low cloud layer on a day when he or she would otherwise be stuck on the ground
Career
An instrument rating is required for most flying jobs, including Flight Instructor. This rating is a vital step on the way to a flying career.
Training Eligibility
Certification
Hold at least a Private Pilot Certificate
Language
English: be able to read, write, and converse fluently
Health
Hold a current FAA Medical Certificate
Ground Training
Receive and log ground training from an authorized instructor (i.e. ground school course) or complete a home-study course using an instrument textbook and/or videos
Prerequisites
Cross Country Flight Time
Log at least 50 hours of cross-country flight time as pilot in command, which can include solo cross-country time as a student pilot. Each cross-country must have a landing at an airport that is at least a straight-line distance of more than 50 NM from the original departure point.
Instrument Time: 40 hrs
Log a total of 40 hours of actual or simulated instrument time, including a minimum of 15 hours of instrument flight training from a Flight Instructor certified to teach the instrument rating (CFII).
Flight Currency
In the 2 calendar months prior to the practical test, log 3 hours of instrument training in an airplane that is appropriate to the instrument-airplane rating from a CFII in preparation for the test.
Practical Test
Successfully complete the instrument rating practical test (an oral and flight test), as specified in Practical Test Standards (PTS) for the instrument rating, which will be conducted by an FAA-designated examiner.
For calls and texts
Office hours by appointment
Civil Air Patrol Headquarters Building
1915 Airport Dr, San Marcos, TX
