Instrument Rating

An Instrument Rating is meant for those pilots that are looking at advancing their flying skills with the use of advanced instrumentation and modern technology. An Instrument Rating allows for a pilot to safely and legally fly within clouds, restricted visibility, and advanced airspace.

Why should you obtain an Instrument Rating and what can you do with it?

The advantages of obtaining an Instrument Rating are plenty. With an Instrument Rating flights are no longer limited to clear weather days. One of the biggest reasons to add an Instrument Rating to your certificate is for enhanced safety not only within weather but during all types of flying. Instrument rated pilots are taught to a very high standard which shows truth in routine safety studies within the industry. The second common reason to add an Instrument Rating to your certificate is for expanded capability and reliability to your flight missions. More experience with instrument training results in far less cancellations due to weather. An Instrument Rating is also vital in making your flights easier through the difficult airspaces.

Prerequisites and how to get started?

1. Private Pilot Certificate
2. Be able to read, speak, write, and understand the English language per federal regulation requirements
3. FAA Medical Certificate
4. Proof of U.S. citizenship (passport or birth certificate are most common, copies are not allowed)

Before your FAA practical flight exam, you will need to meet all applicable requirements of FAA Federal Regulations 14 CFR part 61 (included but not limited to):

1. Be 17 years old
2. Have a minimum of 40 hours instrument flight time to include 15 hours of flight instruction from a Certified Instrument Flight Instructor
3. Pass the FAA Instrument Rating aeronautical written exam
4. Learn aeronautical decision-making, safety of flight considerations, aviation weather, aerodynamics, airport operations, etc. according to 14 CFR part 61
5. Learn aeronautical experience to include navigating by sole reference to the aircraft instrument panel, IFR flight planning, cross country flying, VOR navigation, GPS navigation, etc. according to 14 CFR part 61

Call us at 307-472-4359 for any questions you may have on how to get started.

What will you do in Instrument Flight Training?

Just like Private Pilot flight training, Instrument flight training in comprised of two main areas:

1. Instrument Ground School
   Ground school is a combination of a certified home study course (Sporty’s Instrument Rating Course) and classroom face to face training with one of our Certified Flight Instructors. Ground school covers the technical areas that a pilot must know outside of the flight training. Areas of focus in ground school are not limited to but include many of the following: Aircraft systems, aerodynamics, aircraft performance, navigation, federal regulations, weather, airspace, and aircraft radio communications.
2. Instrument Flight Training
   Flight training consists of a preferred block lesson time of 3 hours. During this time expect to see about 1-2 hours of aircraft flight time. The rest of the time block is used for ground training pre and post flight briefs where you will review at home study materials as well as discuss the daily flight lesson and goals. Our training program is meant to prepare you for both the Federal Aviation Administration’s (FAA) written and practical flight test. An Instrument Rating is awarded upon successful completion of the written and practical flight test.

How often should you fly?

Just like learning any new skill or new language, Instrument flying will take a steady commitment of time. Although this time does not have to be excessive and overwhelming we do recommend consistency which will prove to be beneficial in material retention and certification. Our recommendation is at least 2 lessons per week. We have many students that book upwards of 5 lessons per week which is very easy to accommodate with our staffing of Certified Flight Instructors. We are open year-round Monday through Saturday. We are closed Sundays and most major holidays. Sundays can be booked by appointment only with direct approval of your desired Certified Flight Instructor.

What aircraft will you fly?

Rising Wings Aviation Inc. currently has a fleet (insert hyperlink to fleet) of Cessna 172s and a Cirrus SR20 Perspective Glass Panel Aircraft in which you can learn to fly.

Cirrus Aircraft is a state-of-the-art modern aircraft that comes standard with an airframe parachute (insert hyperlink to cirrusaircraft.com). The Cirrus Aircraft has been called by many “an IFR masterpiece” due to its advanced cockpit technology and ease of flight controls and systems. Many of our students have stated that it feels as simple as stepping into a modern vehicle.

The Cessna 172 has a long history as a smooth and effective flight training aircraft. Our fleet consists of aircraft equipped with everything from the basic analog gauges nicknamed the “six pack” (for its arrangement of the 6 standard flight gauges) as well as the most advanced Garmin G1000 glass panel cockpit.

How long does it take to complete your training?

This is very dependent upon how often you are able to fly as well as spend time studying outside of flight your scheduled lessons. Your overall training time can be significantly reduced by utilizing our Certified Flight Instructors for ground lessons as well as routinely spending time on your Sporty’s home study training material. Flying a minimum of 2 lesson blocks per week you can expect to have your certificate in approximately 8-12 months.

How much will it cost?

Flight training costs are dependent on the student. If you fly regularly, and are able to complete the course syllabus in the minimum times specified by the FAA, your total costs will be less. Below is a breakdown based on the FAA minimum requirements:

 

	Cessna 172 FAA Minimum Hours		Typical Average
	Hours	Cost	Hours	Cost
Cessna Aircraft Rental with flight instructor (avg. $220/hour)	30	$6,600	55	$12,100
Cessna Aircraft Solo Rental without flight instructor (avg. $145/hour)	10	$1,450	5	$725
Flight Training Materials		$275		$275
Aircraft Rental Insurance/year		$260		$260
Pilot Headset Rental		$225		$225
Ground Instruction		$1,500		$1,500
FAA Knowledge Exam		$160		$160
FAA Medical Exam		$125		$125
FAA Examiner Fee Practical Test		$400		$400
Aircraft Rental Fee for Practical		$230		$230
Estimated State Sales Tax Non-Instruction Aircraft Rental		$36.25		$36.25
Total		$10,911,25		$15,686.25

* These prices are an estimate. Actual costs vary per student depending on the proficiency and preparation of the student.

 

	Cirrus SR20 FAA Minimum Hours		Typical Average
	Hours	Cost	Hours	Cost
Cirrus Aircraft Rental with flight instructor (avg. $325/hour)	30	$9,750	55	$17,875
Cirrus Aircraft Solo Rental without flight instructor (avg. $250/hour)	10	$2,500	5	$1,250
Flight Training Materials		$275		$275
Aircraft Rental Insurance/year		$260		$260
Ground Instruction		$1,500		$1,500
FAA Knowledge Exam		$160		$160
FAA Examiner Fee Practical Test		$400		$400
Aircraft Rental Fee for Practical		$375		$375
Estimated State Sales Tax Non-Instruction Aircraft Rental		$62.50		$62.50
Total		$15,282.50		$22,157.50

* These prices are an estimate. Actual costs vary per student depending on the proficiency and preparation of the student.