Instrument Rating
61.65   Instrument rating requirements.

(a) General. A person who applies for an instrument rating must:

(1) Hold at least a current private pilot certificate with an airplane,
helicopter, or powered-lift rating appropriate to the instrument rating
sought;
(2) Be able to read, speak, write, and understand the English
language. If the applicant is unable to meet any of these requirements
due to a medical condition, the Administrator may place such
operating limitations on the applicant's pilot certificate as are
necessary for the safe operation of the aircraft;
(3) Receive and log ground training from an authorized instructor or
accomplish a home-study course of training on the aeronautical
knowledge areas of paragraph (b) of this section that apply to the
instrument rating sought;
(4) Receive a logbook or training record endorsement from an
authorized instructor certifying that the person is prepared to take
the required knowledge test;
(5) Receive and log training on the areas of operation of paragraph (c)
of this section from an authorized instructor in an aircraft, flight
simulator, or flight training device that represents an airplane,
helicopter, or powered-lift appropriate to the instrument rating
sought;
(6) Receive a logbook or training record endorsement from an
authorized instructor certifying that the person is prepared to take
the required practical test;
(7) Pass the required knowledge test on the aeronautical knowledge
areas of paragraph (b) of this section; however, an applicant is not
required to take another knowledge test when that person already
holds an instrument rating; and
(8) Pass the required practical test on the areas of operation in
paragraph (c) of this section in—
(i) An airplane, helicopter, or powered-lift appropriate to the rating
sought; or
(ii) A flight simulator or a flight training device appropriate to the
rating sought and for the specific maneuver or instrument approach
procedure performed. If an approved flight training device is used for
the practical test, the instrument approach procedures conducted in
that flight training device are limited to one precision and one
nonprecision approach, provided the flight training device is approved
for the procedure performed.

(b) Aeronautical knowledge. A person who applies for an
instrument rating must have received and logged ground training
from an authorized instructor or accomplished a home-study course
on the following aeronautical knowledge areas that apply to the
instrument rating sought:
(1) Federal Aviation Regulations of this chapter that apply to flight
operations under IFR;
(2) Appropriate information that applies to flight operations under IFR
in the “Aeronautical Information Manual;”
(3) Air traffic control system and procedures for instrument flight
operations;
(4) IFR navigation and approaches by use of navigation systems;
(5) Use of IFR en route and instrument approach procedure charts;
(6) Procurement and use of aviation weather reports and forecasts
and the elements of forecasting weather trends based on that
information and personal observation of weather conditions;
(7) Safe and efficient operation of aircraft under instrument flight
rules and conditions;
(8) Recognition of critical weather situations and windshear avoidance;
(9) Aeronautical decision making and judgment; and
(10) Crew resource management, including crew communication and
coordination.

(c) Flight proficiency. A person who applies for an instrument rating
must receive and log training from an authorized instructor in an
aircraft, or in a flight simulator or flight training device, in accordance
with paragraph (e) of this section, that includes the following areas of
operation:
(1) Preflight preparation;
(2) Preflight procedures;
(3) Air traffic control clearances and procedures;
(4) Flight by reference to instruments;
(5) Navigation systems;
(6) Instrument approach procedures;
(7) Emergency operations; and
(8) Postflight procedures.

(d) Aeronautical experience. A person who applies for an
instrument rating must have logged the following:
(1) At least 50 hours of cross-country flight time as pilot in command,
of which at least 10 hours must be in airplanes for an instrument—
airplane rating; and
(2) A total of 40 hours of actual or simulated instrument time on the
areas of operation of this section, to include—
(i) At least 15 hours of instrument flight training from an authorized
instructor in the aircraft category for which the instrument rating is
sought;
(ii) At least 3 hours of instrument training that is appropriate to the
instrument rating sought from an authorized instructor in preparation
for the practical test within the 60 days preceding the date of the test;
(iii) For an instrument—airplane rating, instrument training on cross-
country flight procedures specific to airplanes that includes at least
one cross-country flight in an airplane that is performed under IFR,
and consists of—
(A) A distance of at least 250 nautical miles along airways or ATC-
directed routing;
(B) An instrument approach at each airport; and
(C) Three different kinds of approaches with the use of navigation
systems;
(iv) For an instrument—helicopter rating, instrument training specific
to helicopters on cross-country flight procedures that includes at
least one cross-country flight in a helicopter that is performed under
IFR, and consists of—
(A) A distance of at least 100 nautical miles along airways or ATC-
directed routing;
(B) An instrument approach at each airport; and
(C) Three different kinds of approaches with the use of navigation
systems; and
(v) For an instrument—powered-lift rating, instrument training specific
to a powered-lift on cross-country flight procedures that includes at
least one cross-country flight in a powered-lift that is performed
under IFR and consists of—
(A) A distance of at least 250 nautical miles along airways or ATC-
directed routing;
(B) An instrument approach at each airport; and
(C) Three different kinds of approaches with the use of navigation
systems.
(e) Use of flight simulators or flight training devices. If the instrument
training was provided by an authorized instructor in a flight simulator
or flight training device—
(1) A maximum of 30 hours may be performed in that flight simulator
or flight training device if the training was accomplished in accordance
with part 142 of this chapter; or
(2) A maximum of 20 hours may be performed in that flight simulator
or flight training device if the training was not accomplished in
accordance with part 142 of this chapter.

[Doc. No. 25910, 62 FR 16298, Apr. 4, 1997; Amdt. 61–103, 62 FR
40900, July 30, 1997]


Last updated February 2nd 2009
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