Soar Higher, Fly Smarter With Bravo 6 Instrument Rating Program
At Bravo 6 Flight Academy, safety is our top priority. Whether you're just starting to fly or have earned your PPL, your safety and confidence matters most. How will you handle bad weather conditions? What instruments are essential for navigating through the clouds? Our Instrument Rating (IR) program at Bravo 6 Flight Academy is designed to teach you safety rules and procedures to fly with precision and control, no matter the weather or scenario.
Ready to learn how to take control of a plane? Contact us today to begin your IR training!
Start Today!Why Do You Need an Instrument Rating?
To legally fly in unforeseen conditions, pilots must have an IR. Visibility from the cockpit can be limited in conditions like fog and clouds. Pilots must be trained to use their navigation instruments to fly safely during challenging weather conditions.
An IR gives you the confidence and skills to fly safely in these conditions. This training also helps you improve your communication skills with air traffic control and enhances your overall flight proficiency. At Bravo 6 Flight Academy, we provide experience in the IR procedures you need to ensure you're ready for any scenario.
What Will You Learn From the IR Program?
There are various scenarios that pilots must prepare for. You will be tested on multiple instrument skills that will help you understand safety procedures. *Once you get your PPL, you can start the IR program.
What Can You Do Once You Have an IR?
With an IR, you can legally fly in challenging or unexpected weather conditions. You will be equipped to navigate the skies. It's also a key requirement for obtaining your CPL and advancing toward a career as an airline pilot.
How Does an IR Improve Your Pilot Career?
Earning an IR means you can fly confidently in a wider range of weather conditions, increasing employment opportunities. With an IR, you're a more competitive candidate for professional flying opportunities. The more advanced skills you have, the more accurate and safe your flying will be.
Bravo 6 Flight Academy encourages you to put your safety and others first by enrolling in the IR program. Contact us today to learn more about how you can earn an Instrument Rating!
Frequently Asked Questions
What is an instrument rating and why do I need one?
An Instrument Rating (IR) trains you to fly safely by reference to your instruments alone, in clouds, low visibility, and other conditions where you can't rely on what you see outside the cockpit. It dramatically expands when and where you can fly, sharpens your skills and ATC communication, and is a required stepping stone toward a commercial certificate and an airline career. At Bravo 6, safety comes first, and the instrument rating is one of the biggest safety upgrades a pilot can earn.
What are the prerequisites for instrument training?
You'll need a Private Pilot License before you finish your instrument training, and a current FAA medical certificate. Many students roll straight from their PPL into instrument training to keep their skills sharp and momentum going.
How many hours of instrument time are required?
The FAA requires 40 hours of actual or simulated instrument time, along with 50 hours of cross-country flight time as pilot in command. A portion of the instrument time can be completed in our Redbird FMX simulator, which is an efficient and cost-effective way to build precise instrument skills.
How long does the instrument rating take to complete?
Most students complete the instrument rating in a few months when training consistently, though weather and your schedule play a role. Training regularly keeps your instrument scan sharp and shortens the overall timeline.
How much does the instrument rating cost?
Our Instrument Rating program starts at $12,000, with program averages approaching $15,000. Using the simulator for a portion of your training helps manage the total cost. Financing and scholarships are available.
Do you use a flight simulator for instrument training?
Yes. Our Redbird FMX 1000 is an FAA-approved Advanced Aviation Training Device, and you can log up to 20 hours in it toward your Instrument Rating. The simulator lets you fly approaches, practice procedures, and handle simulated failures repeatedly in a safe, controlled environment, and it keeps you progressing even when Idaho weather grounds the airplanes.
What does the instrument checkride involve?
The instrument checkride includes an oral exam covering weather, regulations, flight planning, and instrument procedures, followed by a flight test where you fly approaches, holds, and navigation tasks by reference to instruments. Your instructor will fully prepare you and sign you off only when you're ready to pass.