The FAA Instrument Rating is an add-on rating to a pilot’s already existing private pilot license of commercial pilot license. This rating allows pilots to fly in weather conditions that are characterized as being below visual flight conditions established by the FAA. In short, this rating allows pilots to be able to fly in weather conditions that are more challenging and require specialized training. This rating is a key step in the process of becoming a commercial pilot or airline pilot, and it is also available for pilots who simply want to be able to recreationally fly in tougher conditions. This rating also helps to promote aircraft safety by enabling pilots to safely operate an aircraft in the challenging conditions that may arise during flight.

Requirements:
– Must be able to read, speak, write, and understand English
– Must hold at least a Private Pilot Certificate
– Must be at least 17 years old
– Must obtain at least a third-class FAA medical certificate

Process:
Orlando Flight School offers a self-paced Instrument program, which entails a mixture of both ground
school and flight training.

Step 1: Requirements
– Orlando Flight School offers Instrument training to both private and commercial pilots who meet all of the requirements for training.

Step 2: Ground School
– In order to be eligible to accomplish the practical test for the instrument rating, the student must first complete the FAA written test for the rating. In order to teach the student what they must know for this test, Orlando Flight School offers ground classes covering the content that the student must know.

Step 3: Flight training
– In order to be eligible for an instrument rating, students must complete 40 hours of simulated or actual flight time, with a minimum of 15 hours accomplished with an instructor. Students must
also complete a long cross-country flight of 250 miles in order to be eligible for the instrument
rating.

Final Step: FAA Practical Test
– The FAA practical test, or checkride, will be the final test necessary for each student to obtain their instrument rating. This test consists of an oral test portion, which will test the knowledge of the student, as well as a flight test, which will test the flying ability of the student. After the student passes this test, they will be issued their instrument rating.