Instrument Rating
A quick overview of the Instrument Rating
You will need an instrument rating attached to your licence if you want to fly under instrument flight rules. The instrument rating enables you to fly the aircraft solely with reference to the in-cockpit instrumentation. This means you will be able to fly in cloud and other circumstances of reduced visibility.
What does it allow you to do?
The instrument rating enables you to fly the aircraft solely with reference to the in-cockpit instrumentation. This means you will be able to fly in cloud and other circumstances of reduced visibility that you would otherwise be prevented from doing with a standard LAPL or PPL license.
What are the requirements?
You must have a PPL license and be at least 17 years of age in order to obtain an Instrument Rating.
If you have a LAPL license, you will first need to obtain a PPL before you can gain an instrument rating.
How long will it take?
A full Instrument Rating course requires 55 hours, but this is reduced to 45 hours if you already hold a Commercial Pilots Licence. The majority of this can be done in a simulator, but the minimum number of hours that you must complete in an aircraft is 10 hours.
What next?
After obtaining an Instrument you may wish to gain Aerobatic qualifications to further increase your license privileges.
Should you wish to pursue flying as a career, then you may wish to seek a Commercial License after completion of your Instrument Rating (if you haven’t already!).
