The instrument rating is one of the most technically demanding certificates in general aviation. It requires mastering IFR procedures, approach charts, weather interpretation, navigation systems, and a complex body of regulations across Parts 61 and 91. This guide organizes everything you need to know to pass the FAA Instrument Rating Knowledge Test and your instrument checkride oral exam.
To be eligible for an instrument rating — airplane, under Part 61 — an applicant must:
Note that the 40 hours of instrument time can be acquired in an approved aviation training device (ATD) or flight training device (FTD) under certain limits. The use of simulators for instrument training is authorized by §61.65(i).
The FAA Instrument Rating — Airplane knowledge test (IRA) consists of 60 questions with a 2.5-hour time limit. A score of 70% or higher is required. The test draws from the following subject areas in the Instrument Rating ACS:
DPEs follow the Instrument Rating ACS for the oral examination and typically build questions around the cross-country IFR flight you plan and file before the checkride. The most commonly tested oral exam areas include:
No person may operate a civil aircraft in IFR conditions unless it carries enough fuel to complete the flight to the first airport of intended landing, fly from that airport to the alternate airport (if required), and fly for 45 minutes at normal cruising speed after reaching the alternate. This is the baseline IFR fuel calculation.
An alternate airport is required unless the destination has a standard or special instrument approach and the weather is forecast to be at least 2,000 feet ceiling and 3 SM visibility from 1 hour before to 1 hour after the estimated time of arrival. This is commonly called the "1-2-3 rule." If an alternate is required, the forecast weather at the alternate must be at or above the alternate minimums for that airport.
No person may operate an aircraft in controlled airspace under IFR unless that person has filed an IFR flight plan and received an appropriate ATC clearance. Operating IFR in Class G airspace does not require an ATC clearance, but a flight plan is still recommended for search and rescue purposes.
No pilot may land an aircraft using an instrument approach procedure unless the flight visibility meets or exceeds the minimums for the approach being used. The pilot must see one of the specified runway environment components (runway, approach lights, touchdown zone, etc.) before descending below decision height (DH) on a precision approach or minimum descent altitude (MDA) on a non-precision approach.
If VFR conditions are encountered after radio failure, continue VFR and land as soon as practicable. In IMC, fly the assigned route, last cleared route, or expected route, then the filed route. For altitude: fly the highest of the assigned altitude, expected altitude, or minimum IFR altitude for the segment. Arrive at destination over the fix at the EFC time or the ETA from the flight plan, and begin the approach as soon as possible.
To act as PIC under IFR or in weather conditions below VFR minimums, a pilot must have performed and logged the following within the preceding 6 calendar months:
These tasks may be completed in actual instrument meteorological conditions (IMC), in a flight simulation training device (FSTD), or under simulated instrument conditions with a safety pilot.
If IFR currency lapses — meaning more than 6 calendar months have passed without meeting these requirements — the pilot may log the required experience in the 6 calendar months following the lapse in an aircraft, FSTD, or under simulated conditions. If the pilot cannot meet this additional 6-month window, they must pass an instrument proficiency check (IPC) from an authorized instructor before acting as PIC under IFR.
Under §61.65, you need at least a private pilot certificate, 50 hours of cross-country PIC time, and 40 hours of actual or simulated instrument time including 15 hours from a CFII. A 250 NM IFR cross-country with 3 different types of approaches is also required.
Under §61.57(c), within the preceding 6 calendar months you must log 6 instrument approaches, holding procedures, and navigation system interception and tracking. These can be in actual IMC, a simulator, or under simulated conditions with a safety pilot.
The IRA knowledge test covers IFR regulations, instrument procedures, approach charts, holding patterns, weather interpretation, navigation systems (VOR, ILS, GPS), ATC clearance procedures, lost communications, and human factors including spatial disorientation.
Under §91.167, you must carry fuel to reach the destination, fly to the alternate (if required), and then fly 45 minutes at normal cruise. The 1-2-3 rule: no alternate needed if destination has an IAP and is forecast at 2,000 ceiling and 3 SM visibility from 1 hour before to 1 hour after ETA.
Under §91.185, in VMC continue VFR and land as soon as practicable. In IMC, fly the assigned/expected/filed route at the highest of assigned/expected/MEA altitude, arrive at destination at the EFC or ETA time, and begin the approach as soon as possible.