After you earn your Private Pilot Ticket, the next add-on to pursue in your pilot career is your IFR Rating. Learning to fly IFR is all about learning how to fly safely using your instrument panel only. Think of it as similar to doing your PPL all over again. FAR Part 61.65 (d) lists the minimum requirements for IFR.

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1. 50 hours of PIC Cross Country (Dual Or Solo PIC Time Counts) 

2. 40 hours of Simulated or Actual Instrument Time of which a maximum of 20 hours of AATD time may be used to satisfy this requirement (61.65(h))

3. IFR Long XC that is at least 250nm total distance, with three airport landings, using three different kind of approaches

Note: The PIC Cross Country time can be combined with Cross Country Experience required for the Commercial License. However, a given Cross Country Flight may only be used to satisfy ONE requirement (ie. The IFR long and Commercial long XC cannot be the same flight)​

 

Gomez Aviation offers access to AATD simulators located at DC Flight Sim at Cable Airport. Use of these simulators for the initial 25 hours of the IFR curriculum is an invaluable resource. Rather than training in the plane, training in the AATD saves you between $3000-$4000 compared to training without any sim time. Travelling to the Simulator in the plane provides the unique opportunity to accomplish 2 lessons in one session. Flying to and from Cable in the plane offers a chance to practice what you've learned in the sim during the same lesson. Due to the significant savings, and potential to accelerate the learning process, we highly recommend usage of the Simulators and the advantage they offer. 

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The IFR Curriculum by King Schools is broken into three sections and is designed to create proficiency and confidence flying by your instruments. 

 

Holds, Arcs, and Departures ​

1. Introduction to IFR Flying, Developing your Instrument Scan, and Learning Your Instruments

2. Polishing Your Instrument Flying, Flying using VOR and GPS Navigation

3. Getting your IFR Clearance, and Flying IFR Departures

4. All About Holding Patterns

5. Flying with Failed Instruments

6. IFR Enroute Procedures

7. DME Arcs

8. Progress Check

Instrument Approach Procedures

1. Introduction to Instrument Approaches 

2. Precision Instrument Approaches (ILS, and GPS "Approach with Vertical Guidance")

3. Non Precision Instrument Approaches (VOR, LOC, GPS "LNAV or LP")

4. Circling Approaches and more Missed Approach Procedures

5. Automation and Single Pilot Resource Management (SRM)

6. ATC Services and Procedures 

7. Progress Check

Cross Country Flying and Checkride Prep​

1. Remaining PIC Cross Country Time with Approaches 

2. IFR Long Cross Country 

3. Preparation for Your Practical Test (Special Emphasis Areas, SRM, Preflight Planning, ATC Clearance and Procedures, Navigation, Instrument Approaches, Emergency Procedures) 

4. Mock Checkride

5. Practical Test

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Just like your Private Pilot Certificate, good study habits, availability, and dedication will ensure you become a safe IFR pilot as quickly and cost efficiently as possible. Expect about 3-6 months to become qualified and ready to pass your IFR checkride. Check out our Cost Calculator to get a better idea of how much you can expect your IFR rating to cost! 

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Please feel free to reach out to us with any questions about how you can earn your IFR rating, or about AATD time.