Requirements for Obtaining An Instrument Pilot Certificate (You must...):

  1. Hold at least a private pilot certificate
  2. Be able to read, speak, write, and converse fluently in English
  3. Hold at least a current third-class FAA medical certificate
  4. Pass the computer based FAA "written" knowledge exam with a score of 70% or better which consists of sixty multiple-choice questions
  5. Undertake required training as described in Flight Lessons 1 - 16 and Ground Lessons 1 - 10 found listed below. Many of the Flight Lessons will require more than one flight to make you comfortable and proficient
  6. Recieve a signed recommendation (8710), from a CFII, that you are competent as an instrument pilot and ready for Instrument Checkride
  7. Successfully complete a practical test, which will be given as a final exam by an FAA-designated pilot examiner.

Flight Lessons:

  1. Basic Attitude Instrument Flying
  2. Steep Turns
  3. VOR/DME Navigation
  4. NDB Navigation
  5. GPS Navigation
  6. Compass and Timed Turns
  7. Basic Partial Panel
  8. ATC Clearances
  9. Arrivals and Departures
  10. Non-Persision Approaches
  11. Persision Approaches
  12. DME Arcs
  13. Holding Patterns
  14. Partial Panel Approaches
  15. Unusual Attitudes
  16. IFR Checkride Prep

Ground Lessons:

  1. Weather Information
  2. Charts and Publications
  3. Cross Country Flight Planning
  4. Flight Instruments
  5. Navigation Equipment
  6. ATC Clearances
  7. FARs for Instrument flying
  8. Lost Communications Procedures
  9. IFR Emergencies
  10. Instrument Written Review

Flight Time Requirements:

  • 50 hr. as pilot in command on cross-country flight (of which 10 hr. must be in airplanes) to airports more than 50 NM from the original departure point
  • 40 hr. of simulated or actual instrument time (of which up to 20 hr. can be in a flight simulator or flight training device; up to 10 hr. can be in a personal computer based aviation training device)
  • 15 hr. of instrument flight instruction in an airplane. This must be with a CFII (a CFI who has been certificated to instruct instrument flight)