Instrument Ratings

Increase Flexibility and Skill

An Instrument Rating – gives pilots greater flexibility, giving them the skill to fly when the weather is not bright and sunny.

There are two types of Instrument ratings: the Group 1 Rating and the Group 3 Rating.

The difference between the two ratings is that the Group 1 allows you to fly under IFR (instrument flight rules) in a multi-engine aeroplane.

An Instrument Rating allows you to:

• Group 1 – Fly under Instrument Flight Rules in a single or multi-engine aeroplanes in IMC (Instrument meteorological conditions), as endorsed on their licence

• Group 3 – Fly under Instrument Flight Rules in single-engine aeroplanes in IMC, as endorsed on their licence

Prerequisites

• Valid PPL or CPL

• Valid, appropriate Medical Certificate

• For Group 1 Instrument Rating – multi-engine rating

Training Requirements

To achieve your Group 1 or Group 3 Instrument Rating you must have :

• Completed a minimum of 50 hours of cross-country flight time as pilot-in-command in aeroplanes

• 40 hours instrument time of which a maximum of 20 hours may be instrument ground time, including:

  • One dual cross-country flight under simulated or actual IMC conditions to a point a minimum of 100 nautical miles radius from the point of departure.

  • The flight is to be conducted in accordance with an IFR flight plan and must include, at two different locations, an instrument approach to minima.

• Cuccessfully completed a flight test to the standard outlined in the Flight Test Standard – Instrument Rating (TP9939E)

• Obtained a minimum of 70% on the written examination for Instrument Rating (INRAT). (Ground school is not required, but is highly recommended)