We offer instrument rating training in your own airplane. If you own or have access to an IFR-equipped airplane, our instructor will train you in it, from the first lesson under the hood through the checkride.
Instruction is $58 per hour, the same as all of our training. There is no aircraft charge because you fly your own airplane. No packages required. See rates →
Why Your Own Airplane
We do not do instrument training in our 1961 Cessna 172B, so the instrument rating is offered in your airplane only. For an owner, that works out well. You learn instrument flying on the panel and avionics you will actually use when you file IFR, and you finish the rating knowing your own airplane.
Your airplane needs to be equipped and current for IFR flight, including the altimeter, static system, and transponder checks. If you are not sure whether it qualifies, ask us and we will go through it with you.
What the FAA Requires
Under Part 61, to earn an instrument rating in an airplane you must:
- Certificate: Hold at least a private pilot certificate.
- Language: Be able to read, speak, write, and understand English.
- Ground Training: Receive ground training and a logbook endorsement on the required aeronautical knowledge areas.
- Knowledge Test: Pass the instrument rating knowledge test.
- Cross-Country Time: Log 50 hours of cross-country time as pilot in command, at least 10 of it in airplanes.
- Instrument Time: Log 40 hours of actual or simulated instrument time, at least 15 of it with an instrument instructor.
- IFR Cross-Country: Fly a cross-country of at least 250 nautical miles under IFR with an instructor, with an instrument approach at each airport and three different kinds of approaches.
- Practical Test: Pass the oral and flight portions of the checkride.
What the Training Looks Like
- Basic attitude instrument flying: Controlling the airplane by reference to the instruments alone.
- Your avionics: Learning the equipment in your panel well enough to use them under workload.
- Holds and approaches: Holding procedures and precision and non-precision approaches at airports around the Fox Valley, including Appleton and Oshkosh.
- IFR cross-countries: Filing, clearances, and flying in the system with ATC.
- Checkride preparation: Practice flights and mock oral exams until you are ready.
You work one-on-one with the same instructor from the first lesson through the checkride.
Instrument Proficiency Checks (IPCs)
Already instrument rated but out of currency? We do instrument proficiency checks in your airplane too. An IPC covers the areas of operation in the instrument ACS, including holds, approaches, and unusual attitude recoveries, and ends with a logbook endorsement that restores your currency. The rate is the same $58 per hour.
Getting Started
Tell us about you and your airplane: certificates held, hours logged, the airplane and its equipment, and whether you want the rating or an IPC. Contact us and we will put a plan together.
Dan wrote up what his own instrument rating cost if you want to see real numbers from his training.