Getting My Instrument Rating From Start to Finish

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An instrument rating is one of the hardest training you'll go through in your pilot career. It does make flying a lot safer for you and your passengers. Earlier this year, I went through the gauntlet of getting my instrument ratings. Here is how my process went.
According to AOPA, a person who applies for an instrument rating must:
1. Hold at least a current private pilot certificate or be concurrently applying for a 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.
You must have logged the following:
3. At least 50 hours of cross-country flight time as pilot in command. At least 10 of these hours must be in airplanes for an instrument-airplane rating.
4. A total of 40 hours of actual or simulated instrument time on the areas of operation listed in 61.65(c).
5. At least 15 hours of instrument flight training from an authorized instructor in the aircraft category for the instrument rating sought.
For instrument-airplane rating, instrument training on cross-country flight procedures that includes at least one cross-country flight in an airplane that is performed under instrument flight rules. This flight must consist of:
A distance of at least 250 nm along airways or ATC-directed routing.
An instrument approach at each airport.
Three different kinds of approaches with the use of navigation systems (Example: ILS, VOR, GPS, etc).
At least 3 hours of instrument training that is appropriate to the instrument rating sought from an authorized instructor in preparation for the checkride within two calendar months before the examination date.

[@RealRickCox]

Congratulations on the new rating!! That's going to be an invaluable tool for you when you accidentally encounter IMC.

[@turboproptrash4627]

Congratulations Mike! The instrument rating is the best rating to get as far as making you a better, safer pilot. Your hard work will pay dividends for years to come as you continue to gain experience.

[@aviatortrucker6285]

Welcome to the world of instrument flying. If you’re an area of a country like me, it is almost impossible to keep current unless you use a simulator. Out here in the Midwest to either deal with thunderstorms in the summer or ice in the winter. An instrument rating is great for coastal states that have fog and low visibility, but other parts of the country one becomes a pilot who starts chasing bad weather instead of good weather. My next step after all these years to try to become a CFI. I think that’s gonna be the toughest rating to get since there’s so many knowledge based areas, including fundamentals of instruction. Learning to fly up to the commercial maneuvers in the right seat is going to be challenging enough. I’ve been flying off and on for 40 years now.

[@bayernrekordmeister344]

CFI is hard. If you are driven, then you'll do it. Gotta like working with people to be a CFI, and patience of a Saint.

[@tTenKay]

I’m about half way through instruments and I know the work that goes into it. Congrats

[@TheMrdhyde]

You are living my dream. Way to go with the IFR rating. Smart pilots think safe all the time.

[@gmhins011]

Nice job…I started my training last October for my PPL. In eleven months I did IFR, single engine commercial and multi engine commercial. I got to 600 hours of flying and got a job with a charter company..keep grinding bro..

[@robertd7073]

how much that cost you and how much you get paid.....are you a CFI?

[@gmhins011]

My dad worked for the company and I got fifty percent off the flight school…all said and done it was about 65K. Got hired to fly the falcon SIC at 583 hours total time. They started me at 65K salary…

[@robertd7073]

@@gmhins011 LOL...I COULD WRITE A BOOK ON HOW KIDS WITH PARENTS WHO ARE PILOTS ARE SO MUCH MORE LIKELY TO SUCCEED THAN KIDS WHO HAVE NON-FLYING PARENTS. THAT AND BEING IN THE MILITARY GIVES YOU A GREAT CHANCE TO SUCCEED. I HAD NEITHER.

[@robertd7073]

CONGRATS on the accomplishments.

[@irishcurse65]

You didn’t include 141 rules. Your quoting part 61. For 141 there isn’t a xcountry hours requirement and it’s only 35 hours instead of 40.

[@baomao7243]

Nice overview. I reached some of the same conclusions during my own VFR training - accelerated training was better for me given massive work/family distractions and need to be oriented toward “knocking it out” since sharpness of skills is perishable. With IFR on the brain i‘ve been binge watching Sporty’s IFR training video program REPEATEDLY (to make sure it sticks and i pick up all the secondary points). And then, just maybe… …2023 can be the year for my IFR !

[@danhensley4403]

I just passed my instrument checkride on Saturday. I followed much the same procedure except the accelerated training, as I couldn't dedicate that much time. I definitely agree to do the ground school first. I went through the material once or twice, then went through it again as I was doing my flight training. That way I could ask questions as we went. Then about halfway through the flight training I did the written. Once I scheduled my checkride (the earliest I could get was 2 months out), I accelerated my flight training as I then had a hard date to finish my training.

[@nyrubin]

I’m at an atp in NY private was way harder than instrument for me, what about you?

[@danhensley4403]

@@nyrubin My instrument was harder overall. I did my private in 1993 back when I was still young and my brain could absorb information much more easily. After 23 years of not flying, it only took 2 flights to get signed off again. Instrument has a lot more information to absorb. I nailed my written and oral though since I put a lot of time into studying.

[@WolfPilot]

Thanks for sharing your experiences Mike! I am about to embark on this very journey!

[@jamesfrost7465]

So proud of ya Mike. You're living the dream. Im so glad you have your instrument ticket! Congratulations!

[@jdrbell3]

Congratulations Mike!! So much more safe to have all your ratings and the satisfaction that you won’t be limited to just VFR! God bless you👍👍😎

[@christophermetcalf4720]

Congratulations Mike! Instrument training was no joke for me either. Thanks for sharing!

[@Travelingchefmark]

So great to see how you’ve progressed, I’m busy with this now and great video bud, thanks for sharing !

[@aviatortrucker6285]

Just want to make a comment here on holding procedures. Today it is fairly simple because most GPS is have the holding pattern, already drawn in a magenta format, and all you have to do is follow it. Most of it is visualization, but the FAA requires you to think and used the proper determination for the entry based on your heading and the outbound leg. Once you get familiar with the location of your aircraft and how you’re heading toward the hold, you will automatically visualize the proper entry. On that note, I have seen the Garman where it is evident. It should be a teardrop entry select a parallel and visa-versa.

[@souleymanesavane6312]

Thanks my man Mike, I am about to start instrument rating now, it is going to be some work 👌 but I appreciate the insight. You are doing great bro.

[@kingcoreyair]

Awesome video with great tips. Congrats on your new Instrument rating brother. I did instrument training part 141 which has slightly different requirements. I’m currently Comm Multi Instr. What a journey.

[@luigipascucci6760]

Great job Mike !! My father was an instructor many many years ago retired 7 years ago with 42 years of flying under his belt still has his first log book last aircraft flown at UPS was the md-11 and total flight hours 28,000,737 hours. Has a excellent retirement package and he now literally works one day at Taco Bell as a manager and the other days he drives the school bus in Tennessee just to do something LOL

[@alisherruziev1161]

28 Million hours? or 28 thousand hours..?

[@luigipascucci6760]

28,737( thousand.) LOL fat fingers not million

[@conservativeokie]

Congratulations Mike! Also, I wish you and your entire family an extremely blessed and merry Christmas and a very happy New Year!

[@archivist17]

Thanks for a very clear explanation. The process might be slightly different in the UK, but I'm sure the content and process is similar. IR is a big boost to your capability, so congratulations Mike!

[@Nl-nn3ds]

Congratulations. As a flight instructor I maintain that a private pilot with an instrument rating is a safer pilot than a commercial pilot without one.

[@brianjohnson7137]

Congrats Mike! You deserve it!

[@GeoffreyRutledge]

There is an even faster accelerated program. Do the ground school and pass the test on your own. Then PIC (Professional instrument courses) set up a time/day for the checkride with a specific DPE, then arranged for a CFII to come to my house with the simulator. Trained one on one, all day every day until done. Took 10 days. I took one day off in the middle for a break.

[@rogerclarke3291]

HI mike from the UK. I'm thinking of maybe doing my instrument rating next year. Your video is very helpful and encouraging. I'm going to get a sim too. Thanks for posting.

[@joehayes4981]

Man, I have started my IFR training, and it is off the chain hard. I also did my ground and got it out of the way and made 87% using Shepherd air and Kings for my endorsement.

[@almarasco8088]

Congrats Mike very very cool that you got it very rewarding .

[@nishantsaran]

Thank you so much for the video. I am starting on my IFR training and this was very helpful to figure out what is needed!

[@jq777]

Thanks Mike! I’m about to start my instrument rating. Very helpful. 🙏

[@timhoke2]

Good job, Mike. It would also be VERY helpful if you would make a video going over the oral part of the check ride.

[@bobspencildrawings6928]

This was a great video. Thank you for making it. Love the advice on holdings and knowing your equipment. Keep up making great content👍👍👍

[@nyrubin]

Private was way harder than instrument for me, I think if you last a couple years without studying you would have to re learn everything, but in most accelerate programs ur knowledge stays consistent making instrument a breeze

[@arpeltier]

Congrats! Working on my IFR rating now. Way harder than PPL for sure.

[@ronaldcuieii8639]

Hey buddy!! Very very nice. Please keep coming out with more vlogs!!

[@vconnor]

Need instruction from CFII not just CFI. Also must pass FAA Instrument exam. My experience is better to fly 3 times a week during training, two time’s minimum. Once a week you end up spending part of lesson remembering things from last lesson. Best way really is minimum 3 times a week..

[@vconnor]

I would watch tube videos on the upcoming lesson and they were very helpful. It made it so the procedure wasn’t totally new each time. Made it easier to mentally absorb.

[@idekav.]

@@vconnor thanks

[@tonypatoto7443]

Great job on this video. Really have been enjoying your explanations and insights into flying.. I am looking at getting my pilots license and your videos are really encouraging. Thank you!

[@alexsze5455]

50 xc pic-airplane does not have to be instrument equipped and for ifr rating, it has to be a cfi-i conducting ur ifr training. Great video and congrats on ur rating, sir!!

[@libertycowboy2495]

About to start my IFR adventure. Great video!

[@MichaelCarterShow]

Well dne. I can't wait to get mine soon. Happy Sunday Funday. #salute my gud brotha!!!!!

[@g.choppa4448]

Been watching you for awhile, if I were younger I would go for license 😁 . I will just keep enjoying as a passenger. Keep up the good work, and stay safe , love your channel . Knowledge is amazing, now undersand more of whats going on when taking flghts now. When are you gonna fly one of those big babies out of Hartsfield ? 😁

[@Tow69er]

great Video young man, Love the content looking to get a discovery flight in soon, and getting start on my flight training

[@selekeh]

congrats mike!

[@kevinwilliams6730]

Fantastic video - thank you for sharing! Super cool

[@theprintshopchannel]

thanks for your video . i Just statrted IFR Training and your video is very helpful!!

[@matthewstuart2054]

Awesome video man!

[@michaelharper895]

Thanks Mike once again good information.

[@VitoV9600]

Excellent please let me know who to contact to get the accelarated training

[@d.n.3652]

Got my instrument rating and still never flown in IMC. Seems nerve racking to fly IMC by myself. So even though I have my instrument rating, I am in no way an instrument pilot

[@oceanchiro]

Could you tell us where you did the flying part for the accelerated instrument flight training.

[@user-kz2ri2il4r]

Thanks 👍 & congratulations 🎉

[@blueprintfx8033]

Nice video. I’m out of KRDU . My flight school is dragging . I might have to get my own plane to get my ratings accelerated.

[@MI325A]

Hi and Congratulations, Mike Quick question : is there a way to contact you directly as I have some questions I'd like to have answered on a 1-1 please. Topics are the flight school and also clothing apparel sales. Thank you. Best regards and keep up the great work. -- Matthew

[@danielhipp5541]

Congrats Mike on your instrument ticket just curious about John Harvey and Jeff Kerlo with Revelaero in Jasper Georgia do you have an update on their aircraft the voodoo jet powered version ?

[@Dick_Shinn]

Instrument ticket gives the pilot a much better appreciation of the weather and its affects!!!

[@Mobev1]

Effects

[@Dick_Shinn]

@@Mobev1 I swapped an noun and verb.....!

[@randybates789]

Great advice👍 Thanks

[@On3Performance1]

@mojogrip what plane is that you started flying in?

[@evanskariuki3779]

Congrats. Working on mine. Did you take ground check ride before you did flying portion or was it all on the same day?

[@Lee-qp6gf]

exceptionally done, Mike. I enjoy each vid. Lee

[@ROT8AV8]

Ok just finished watching. I, like you did, plan to do the written ahead of time and get that out of the way. I have been safety pilot for guys that needed to remain IFR current. So I’ve seen a bit of what goes on for the approaches and flight planning. Ive done plenty of VFR cross country’s into big airports like KMDW, KCLE, KCMH, KSDF. My question for you is this: assuming i get everything scheduled and on the books ahead of time. How many days realistically would it take a quick hands on learner to get the practical portion completed. Like if I had an airplane and instructor available to me from 8am to 5pm? From your recent experience, could you see this being done this way?

[@vconnor]

With IFR, never fly to an airport your mind hasn’t been first! Know your plates very well.

[@shahzadahpk1]

Please create an app like car license for all types of licenses like ppl ifr cfi mei etc. so that new students can learn theoretical portion and can take mcqs at home.

[@alexdarcydestsimon3767]

@mojogrip : don't forget : the pilot, the plane and the airfield must be instrument certified. Also : IMC is not FIKI... Fly safe.

[@BrMln10]

Awesome content! Regarding some of the requirements, for instance point number 2: Over 50hrs PIC x-country time, is that the minimum amount when starting the IR training? Or at the end of training once one is about to take the check ride?

[@bryantturner97]

Even though about half of US pilots are instrument rated, only about 15% maintain currency. Of course, it's always better to have more training but it has often appeared to me if instrument flying isn't something you plan to do frequently, then it might not be worth it to your average general aviation pilot judging by the currency statistics. The skills dissipate quickly if not frequently practiced and the rating may actually foster a false sense of security in some individuals to fly into IMC and unfavorable weather that they would have definitely avoided under VFR. In my opinion, an IFR rating is GREAT as long as you stay both current & proficient with it. If not, it'll be as useless as it is to those 85% of IFR rated pilots out there who only fly VFR.

[@kenbarney5136]

Congratulations just curious how many hours do you have now I’m getting prepared to start mine in the spring I have had my license for 3 1/2 years now and have over 750 hours but ready for the next level

[@gmhins011]

Not sure how much actual imc time you have..but make sure to get as much of it as you can safely..it is a night and day difference from being under the hood..

[@johnfitzpatrick2469]

Merry Christmas Mike: OK I'll say it... Do you think that when a Private pilot gets Instrument rated, that it should specify the instruments. *Honeywell *Collins *Garmin * Avidyne 🤔

[@EJWash57]

Do you mean EFIS versus analog, or just specific manufacturers and models of avionics?

[@BustaGrill]

Hi Mike. Great vid. How long did the ground school take you to finish?

[@redeemedbob]

Great video Mike! Whats next for you? Multi?

[@mojogrip]

Tail wheel and complex

[@cocorat2012]

What brand is your view limiting device and where purchased ?

[@lamberto6405]

My struggle in the journey to get my instrument rating is being able to program the IFR navigator. I have a GNX-375 which has the usual Garmin menu and I am assuming behaves much like the GTN650. I can't find much info on how to program the varying step during the flight plan and approaches... Can anyone point me to any videos on this? Thanks!

[@edwardsharpe4603]

what was the app callled ?

[@philwinner1806]

I am about to start. Glass cockpit or 6 pac?

[@jimmcculloch3786]

Brilliant Sir, thank you :)

[@mohammadbinjabr5201]

Sheppard is the best in IFR learning

[@Romanellochw]

Great great video but.....having your own plane is beyond rare.

[@bassmaster3145]

9:18 lol

[@Srt8challenger392]

how old, is too old to learn to fly? ill be 49 in march of next year.

[@mojogrip]

Oldest I know got is private pilot license at 78

[@Srt8challenger392]

@@mojogrip thanks for the quick reply. i quest i have no excuses.

[@danhensley4403]

I just got my instrument and I'm 52. I did my private in college and set flying aside for over 23 years in between.

[@mojogrip]

@@danhensley4403 Congratulations

[@timhoke2]

I got my private at 72 and, at 75, am working on my instrument rating.

[@omaryovesen8527]

Very expensive too lol

[@salifuosman9101]

Mike please I mean it you are the one who expired me am to take everything serious am getting ready I will reach out to you.

[@ROT8AV8]

I have not watched this video yet. I plan to find a 141 school that accepts GI Bill and can also schedule me for an entire day at a time to do an accelerated course in hopefully 2 weeks. Now I will watch this video and comment after. i have not come across a bad one yet! @Mojogrip

[@Mobev1]

As a high IQ individual and an IQ specialist with 8 years of studying in Singapore and a net worth of 32 million I can say that flying a little plane is statistically more dangerous than surfing, scuba diving, horse back riding and biking. No deicing or two engines …not safe and considered pinged in the 5 laws of stupidity

[@2Greenlid]

Stupid comment, nobody cares what you think statistically, life is always a risk…

[@Mobev1]

@@2Greenlid i won and I’m the winner. If you want to win more in life your decisions are very important. I could have chosen a hobbie like flying or pickleball but instead I chose to golf and got good. I power lift and golf. Well golfing pays big money for a hobbie. I compete on a mini tour for deca business owners. The deca is for guys that have been worth 10 million for at least 10 years. I could have flown around in circles in the sky but instead I make about 200,000 a year playing and get to travel around the world with a bunch of other decas.

[@LowandFast357]

Dude, you’re either a professional idiot or this is a meager attempt at trolling. First off, high net worth or not, you don’t know how to articulate worth a flip and your grammar skills are that of a crackhead. Nothing about your rambling and incoherent comments validate your so-called high IQ. As a matter of fact, it shows us the you reside on other end of the spectrum. Flying little planes, as you put it, is incredibly safe and stats prove this. Lol….you actually compared it to surfing, biking, and horseback riding, you galactic prick. Walking down the street in NYC is more dangerous than those things, Mr. Shortpants. For someone with a high IQ and a net worth of $32MM, you’re clearly demonstrating that anybody can make it in this world, regardless of mental incapacitation. And sadly, you representing this is an insult to people who are actually mentally incapacitated. Furthermore, your comment about two engines and no anti-ice/deice isn’t relevant here and doesn’t hold true. So, take your little shakeweight along with your putt-putt golf clubs and go enjoy the lonely life of neighborhood speed walking and American Idol watching. Maybe one day when you’re no longer lactose intolerant and allergic to outside life, you and your imaginary friend Karen can take a ride in a small airplane. Until then, enjoy your Aunts basement, Skippy. Don’t forget to put the mayonnaise back in the fridge.