An Instrument rating is divided into four groups; a Group 1 IR is used for multi-engine aircraft, and a Group 3 IR is used for single-engine aircraft.
An instrument rating allows a pilot to fly an airplane capable of instrument flight operations into weather and conditions that are below that required for visual flying operations. Flying by reference to your instruments is significantally more challenging than by visual references, however, it is one of the biggest notches in the belt that a pilot can acheive, and the training that is included in the rating can be used to refine one's flying skill.
In order to obtain your Instrument Rating, you must complete a total of 40 hours of flight time, including:
*The staff of GFTS includes instructors who meet this criteria. For more information, visit Transport Canada's website here.
Bear in mind that figures are the legal minima as governed by Transport Canada, most students will require further training and / or practice in order to reach the necessary skill to be able to complete the flight test. Applicants for the IR who have previously earned other Groups of Instrument Ratings may have some flight time credited from previous experience.
All Instrument Rating students must be proficient in knowledge of such subjects as
Knowledge of the outlined subjects will be tested by way of a written exam (INRAT), which must be successfully completed (70%) by the student.
Once a student has successfully completed the minimum amount of flight time AND successfully passed the flight test AND successfully passed the written examination, the instrument rating will be issued.
Prior to commencing training, students must obtain their Private Pilot License.