Instrument rating

Instrument rating refers to the qualifications that a pilot must have in order to fly under instrument flight rules (IFR). It requires additional training and instruction beyond what is required for a private pilot certificate or commercial pilot certificate, including rules and procedures specific to instrument flying, additional instruction in meteorology, and more intensive training in flight solely by reference to instruments.[1] Testing consists of a written exam and a practical test (known more commonly as the check ride). The check ride is divided into an oral component to verify that the applicant understands the theory of instrument flying and an actual flight to ensure the pilot possesses the practical skills required for safe IFR flight.

For most private pilots, the most significant value of flying under IFR is the ability to fly in instrument meteorological conditions (such as inside clouds). Additionally, all flights operating in Class A airspace, defined in the US as the airspace from 18,000 MSL up to FL 600 (roughly 60,000 feet), must be conducted under IFR. In the United States, an instrument rating is required when operating under special visual flight rules (SVFR) at night.

Requirements for Instrument Rating in the United States are listed in section 61.65 of the Federal Aviation Regulation[2] are:

The Canadian license VFR-Over-the-Top (VFR OTT) allows private as well as commercial pilots to cross IMC areas when start and end of the trip is performed under VFR conditions.

In the UK, private pilots can attend a less intensive training to the Instrument Rating (Restricted) rating, restricted to the national airspace. This does not confer the privileges of a full Instrument Rating, but allows flight in IMC outside class A airspace, and flight on a SVFR clearance with in-flight visibility below 10 km (but more than 3 km).

See also

References

  1. ↑ Benenson, Tom (2006-11-10). "Climbing the Ratings Ladder". Flying Magazine 133 (11): 73. Retrieved 2010-11-27.
  2. ↑ Title 14, Part 61. "CERTIFICATION: PILOTS, FLIGHT INSTRUCTORS, AND GROUND INSTRUCTORS". ELECTRONIC CODE OF FEDERAL REGULATIONS. US Government Printing Office. Retrieved 27 December 2012.
This article is issued from Wikipedia - version of the Sunday, July 19, 2015. The text is available under the Creative Commons Attribution/Share Alike but additional terms may apply for the media files.