61.65 - Instrument rating requirements: General
To be eligible for Instrument Rating, a person 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.