How Long Does It Take To Get An IFR Rating?

Are you a pilot with a Private Pilot License (PPL) who’d like to have flight privileges beyond VFR (Visual Flight Rules)? If so, you may wonder how long it takes to get an IFR Rating, how much it will cost, or where I should go. Paragon Flight can provide you with quality training that is affordable and efficient. Fly high, no matter the conditions, with an Instrument Flight Rating (IFR) earned at Paragon Flight.

Intro to Instrument Flight Ratings (IFR): What It Is and Why You Need It

An Instrument Flight Rating (IFR) is a supplemental rating that pilots can add to their licenses. This rating allows pilots to operate under Instrument Flight Rules (IFR) rather than only Visual Flight Rules (VFR). With an IFR, you’ll be able to fly at higher altitudes and in all conditions because you’ll know how to use the communication and navigation systems within an aircraft.

When do Instrument Flight Rules apply?

• Weather conditions that limit visibility – fog, cloud cover, low visibility

To fly in these conditions, pilots must master many navigational tools.

To progress in aviation beyond a Private Pilot License (PPL), you must secure an Instrument Flight Rating. Every commercially licensed pilot, no matter the exact job, uses the skills taught during the scope of earning this rating on a routine basis.

The Instrument Flight training at Paragon Flight has been approved for FAA Part 141 use. This approval status allows our students to typically complete training with 35-45 hours of flight time. We also offer the ALSIM AL172 Simulator for student use, which can greatly reduce the expense of training.

IFR at Paragon Flight

We break the IFR program into three stages: simulator, practical, and classroom training.

State 1 – During Stage 1, we focus on the basics. The pilot will master precision altitude control when using instruments for reference and practice using navigation systems.

Stage 2 – Next, we will train the pilot to hold patterns and perform instrument approaches using full and partial panel techniques.

Stage 3 – The last phase will introduce pilots to IFR cross-country practices and to work toward mastery of the degree mandated for earning an Instrument Rating.

Our courses apply to Technically Advanced Aircraft (TAA) since our entire fleet is equipped with advanced avionics. Your experience here is the most advanced available and the most appropriate for your future endeavors in the field.

The time it takes to secure an Instrument Rating depends on several factors, the primary one being how much time you can commit to training. For instance, the P3 Program here at Paragon Flight allows participants to secure their Instrument Rating in eight weeks. It may take others longer should they have less than full-time availability.

Paragon Flight can provide accelerated training because of our dual authorizations with the FAA, but our location also provides practical opportunities. The weather in this area offers 300+ days of flight-friendly conditions, and we operate out of airports with tower-controlled runways and minimal congestion in the airspaces.

Click here or call (239) 747-0056 to discuss how long it does take to get an IFR Rating for pilots with similar goals and situations to yourself.