Instrument Rating Requirements: Hours, Exams, Approaches, and Checkride

Complete guide to FAA instrument rating requirements under §61.65. Covers flight hours, the IRA knowledge test, instrument approaches for the checkride, ACS standards, and how long training realistically takes.

April 2026·9 min read read·Faraim Editorial

KEY POINT

The instrument rating is the most valuable add-on to your private pilot certificate. Here's everything you need to know about the requirements, training process, and what the checkride actually involves.

The instrument rating (IR) is considered the most operationally significant certificate upgrade a pilot can earn. It allows flight in instrument meteorological conditions (IMC), through clouds, and on IFR flight plans — dramatically expanding the utility and safety of your flying. The requirements are defined in 14 CFR §61.65.

Prerequisites for the Instrument Rating

Hold at least a private pilot certificate with airplane category rating
Be able to read, speak, write, and understand English
Meet the aeronautical experience requirements of §61.65
Pass the IRA (Instrument Rating Airplane) knowledge test
Pass the practical test (checkride) with a DPE or FAA inspector

Flight Hour Requirements (§61.65(d))

<strong>50 hours cross-country PIC time</strong> — logged before or during instrument training
<strong>40 hours actual or simulated instrument time</strong>, of which:
— 15 hours must be instrument flight training with an authorized instrument instructor (CFII)
— 3 hours of instrument training within 60 days of the practical test
— One instrument cross-country flight of at least 250 NM total distance with an instrument approach at each of the 3 intermediate airports, at least one type of approach at each (ILS, VOR, RNAV, etc.)

The IRA Knowledge Test

The Instrument Rating Airplane (IRA) knowledge test has 60 questions and requires a 70% passing score. It covers weather, IFR flight planning, instrument approach procedures, ATC procedures, regulations, and aircraft systems relevant to IFR flight. No endorsement is required — you can sit for it anytime. Scores are valid for 24 calendar months.

What You'll Learn During Instrument Training

Flying by reference to instruments only — attitude instrument flying
Partial panel (failed gyroscopes) flying techniques
IFR flight planning — weather, alternates, fuel, filing flight plans
Departure, en-route, and arrival procedures
Instrument approach procedures: ILS, VOR, RNAV (GPS), LOC, NDB
Holding patterns — entries, timing, wind correction
IFR emergency procedures — lost comms, icing, missed approaches
Reading and interpreting instrument approach plates (charts)

The Instrument Rating Checkride

The checkride consists of an oral exam and a flight test. The DPE uses the Instrument Rating ACS (Airman Certification Standards) as the basis for testing. The oral typically covers weather, IFR regulations, and approach procedures. The flight test requires flying a cross-country IFR route, executing multiple instrument approaches (precision and non-precision), holding, and handling simulated emergencies.

You'll fly at least one precision approach (ILS or LPV)
At least one non-precision approach (VOR, RNAV LNAV, or LOC)
Partial panel flying (gyros covered or assumed failed)
A missed approach
Holding pattern entry and tracking
The flight will likely be conducted mostly in simulated IMC (under the hood) unless actual IMC exists

How Long Does Instrument Training Take?

Most pilots take 6-12 months to earn an instrument rating when training part-time. The limiting factor is usually the 50 hours of cross-country PIC time — if you don't have it from private pilot training, you need to build it. Full-time students at an accelerated program can complete instrument training in 4-8 weeks.

The instrument rating is most valuable when combined with actual IMC experience shortly after checkride. Schedule several flights with a CFII in real IMC conditions during your first few months to build genuine proficiency, not just legal currency.