Introduction Is an Instrument Rating Necessary? Instrument Rating Requirements Training for the Instrument Rating The answer to this question depends entirely upon individual  needs. Pilots may not need an instrument rating if they fly in  familiar uncongested areas, stay continually alert to weather  developments, and accept an alternative to their original plan.  However, some cross-country destinations may take a pilot  to unfamiliar airports and/or through high activity areas in  marginal visual or instrument meteorological conditions  (IMC). Under these conditions, an instrument rating may  be an alternative to rerouting, rescheduling, or canceling  a flight. Many accidents are the result of pilots who lack  the necessary skills or equipment to fly in marginal visual  meteorological conditions (VMC) or IMC and attempt flight  without outside references. Pilots originally flew aircraft strictly by sight, sound, and  feel while comparing the aircraft’s attitude to the natural  horizon. As aircraft performance increased, pilots required  more inflight information to enhance the safe operation of  their aircraft. This information has ranged from a string tied  to a wing strut, to development of sophisticated electronic  flight information systems (EFIS) and flight management  systems (FMS). Interpretation of the instruments and aircraft  control have advanced from the “one, two, three” or “needle,  ball, and airspeed” system to the use of “attitude instrument  flying” techniques. Navigation began by using ground references with dead  reckoning and has led to the development of electronic  navigation systems. These include the automatic direction  finder (ADF), very-high frequency omnidirectional range  (VOR), distance measuring equipment (DME), tactical air  navigation (TACAN), long range navigation (LORAN),  global positioning system (GPS), instrument landing system  (ILS), microwave landing system (MLS), and inertial  navigation system (INS). Perhaps you want an instrument rating for the same basic  reason you learned to fly in the first place—because you like  flying. Maintaining and extending your proficiency, once you  have the rating, means less reliance on chance and more on  skill and knowledge. Earn the rating—not because you might  need it sometime, but because it represents achievement and  provides training you will use continually and build upon  as long as you fly. But most importantly it means greater  safety in flying. A private or commercial pilot must have an instrument  rating and meet the appropriate currency requirements if  that pilot operates an aircraft using an instrument flight  rules (IFR) flight plan in conditions less than the minimums  prescribed for visual flight rules (VFR), or in any flight in  Class A airspace.  You will need to carefully review the aeronautical knowledge  and experience requirements for the instrument rating as  outlined in Title 14 of the Code of Federal Regulations  (14 CFR) part 61. After completing the Federal Aviation  Administration (FAA) Knowledge Test issued for the  instrument rating, and all the experience requirements have  been satisfied, you are eligible to take the practical test. The  regulations specify minimum total and pilot-in-command  time requirements. This minimum applies to all applicants  regardless of ability or previous aviation experience. A person who wishes to add the instrument rating to his or  her pilot certificate must first make commitments of time,  money, and quality of training. There are many combinations  of training methods available. Independent studies may be  adequate preparation to pass the required FAA Knowledge  Test for the instrument rating. Occasional periods of ground  and flight instruction may provide the skills necessary to  pass the required test. Or, individuals may choose a training  facility that provides comprehensive aviation education and  the training necessary to ensure the pilot will pass all the  required tests and operate safely in the National Airspace  System (NAS). The aeronautical knowledge may be  administered by educational institutions, aviation-oriented  schools, correspondence courses, and appropriately rated  instructors. Each person must decide for themselves which  training program best meets his or her needs and at the same  time maintain a high quality of training. Interested persons  vii