Instrument Rating

Earn your pilot instrument rating

Training Schedule

Year Round; Train at Your Own Pace
Custom & Accelerated Options Available

Starting cost

$13,405

See Price Chart Below

The Instrument Rating is issued by the Federal Aviation Administration, allowing a pilot to legally operate an aircraft in instrument meteorological conditions – adverse weather conditions – under “Instrument Flight Rules,” also known as “IFR flight”. In today’s complex airspace, an instrument rating is essential for any pilot pursuing a career in aviation.

In order to earn an instrument rating, a pilot must possess a valid private pilot certificate, and complete both a knowledge test and a practical flight test.

Whether you are simulating the experience by wearing “foggles,” or heading into the clouds on an IFR flight plan, earning your instrument rating is guaranteed to make you a better, safer and more technically proficient pilot.

Instrument Rating Requirements:

  • Private Pilot License

    Prior to starting our instrument rating, you must have at least a private pilot certificate, a current biennial flight review and a current medical certificate.

  • Language Requirements

    You must be able to read, write, speak, and understand the English language.


  • 50 Hours Cross Country Flight Time Logged

    50 hours of cross-country flight time as pilot in command; at least 10 of these hours must be in airplanes for an instrument-airplane rating.

  • 40 hours of Instrument Time

    40 Hours of actual or simulated instrument time on the areas of operation listed in 61.65(c).


  • 15 hours of instrument flight training

    At least 15 hours of instrument flight training from an authorized instructor in the aircraft category for the instrument rating sought.

  • Pass written & practical tests

    Pass the FAA instrument rating written exam, covering IFR regulations and procedures.


Price Estimate for your Instrument Rating

Use our pricing chart to help give you an idea of what your training costs will be. Our pricing chart is based on someone who just obtained their private pilot license and has the minimum required hours for time building. Hourly rates for additional time building in our Cessna 150 and Cessna 172 are included (but not in the subtotal), should they be required. The estimate includes your check ride fees (subject to change and paid directly to the DPE). Actual hours may vary based on each individual’s proficiency. A Cessna 150 is also available for instrument training, at a lower cost.

Rating

Description

Rate

Hours

Subtotal

Instrument Pilot Rating

Cessna 172 Rental For Checkrides

$190

2

$380

Checkride Examiner Fee

$1200

–

$1,200

Dual Simulator Instruction in Redbird 172

$150

5

$750

Dual Instrument Flight Instruction in Cessna 172 (Including 10 XC hours)

$265

20

$5,300

FAA Written Exam

$175

–

$175

Ground Instruction

$75

20

$1,500

Online Ground School

$300

–

$300

Simulated Instrument Time in Cessna 172 with safety pilot

$190

20

$3,800

Solo XC Time Building in Cessna 172

$190

Variable

Variable

Solo XC Time Building in Cessna 150

$150

Variable

Variable

Instrument Rating Total

$13,405

How it Works

How to Earn Your Pilot Instrument Rating

01

Complete instrument ground school.

Enroll in Blue River Aviation’s instrument rating school to gain a strong foundation in instrument flight rules (IFR), navigation, and meteorology, ensuring you’re well-prepared for instrument flight training.

02

Accumulate required instrument flight hours.

Train with a certified instrument rating instructor to log the necessary instrument flight hours. Practice instrument approaches, holding patterns, and IFR navigation while honing your skills in various weather conditions.

03

Pass written & practical tests.

Study to pass the FAA instrument rating written exam, covering IFR regulations and procedures. Demonstrate your ability to fly solely by reference to instruments during the practical test (checkride) to earn your pilot instrument rating.

Don’t just take our word for it

250+ Happy Flight Training Students

  • “Learning to fly with Blue River has been nothing short of outstanding! The staff are always so helpful and the instructors are on top of their game day in and day out.”
    – Sebastian B.
  • Truly a phenomenal organization. These folks helped me obtain my private pilot license. I flew with several different CFIs and they were all great.
    Thanks to their use of flight schedule pro, and the ability to schedule myself I was able to find times that worked for me and my busy schedule. Another great aspect is flying out of Palmer so much beautiful scenery all around. If you’re on the fence, just do a discovery flight.
    – Daniel W.
  • Absolutely thrilled with my experience at Blue River Aviation! The instructors are top-notch. Their fleet of aircraft is well-maintained and up-to-date. The friendly staff and other students also helped me find a community and build long-lasting friendships while working on my private pilot license. I would highly recommend pursuing your training with Blue River Aviation.
    – Tayler H.

Whats Next?

Ready to get your instrument rating with Blue River?

Fill Out Our Inquiry Form

In return, you’ll get an email from us with everything you need to know to get started, and a direct response from a member of our team within 48 hours

Read & Sign Our Enrollment Application

This outlines all of the technical and legal details; from payment policies and insurance to operating procedures and cancellations.

Feel free to call us with questions 907-414-0371

Register For Flight Schedule Pro

Our scheduling software; your digital home base for all your training at Blue River

Book Your Discovery Flight

Still Have Questions? Keep scrolling for our FAQs

Frequently Asked Questions, Answered

It depends on your schedule and how often you fly. Full-time students may finish in 2–3 months, while part-time students typically take 4–6 months.

Absolutely. Many students train around work or school schedules. Our extended training hours (6 AM–10 PM) and year-round availability make scheduling flexible.

You’ll gain the ability to fly in more weather conditions, become more technically proficient with advanced avionics systems, and open the door to advanced ratings and professional pilot opportunities. Generally speaking, you’ll be a better, safer pilot.

Instrument, or “IFR” flying, teaches you to both fly and navigate with reference to your instruments only, without needing to see outside the aircraft. As such, with an Instrument Rating, you can legally fly in weather conditions that would typically prevent visual flight, such as in the clouds, fog and other low visibility conditions.

Many of the students who come here have received previous training somewhere else. We are happy to help you finish up your journey to becoming an instrument rated pilot.

You can begin instrument training right away—many students move directly from private into instrument training to keep their skills sharp.

Yes, we train and fly year round! The summers in Alaska are amazing and offer plenty of good weather and long days for training. In the winter, we keep most of the planes in hangars and plugged in so they are warm and ready to go even on the coldest days. Winter is the perfect time for instrument training, too, as the long dark nights create the ideal conditions to practice flying by reference to your instruments.

pilot flying through the Alaska range view

Ready to take off?

Let’s get you flying!

Let’s check that you’re human*

Don’t have your private pilot license yet?

To complete the instrument rating course and earn the rating, you must possess a Private Pilot Certificate. If you are planning to earn a Pilot Instrument Rating or advanced certificates, obtaining this certificate is the required first step toward becoming a professional pilot.

Learn More
Cessna 172 N
Our Fleet

The best aircraft in the business.

Blue River Aviation is proud of our expansive fleet. We provide aircraft for a wide variety of training. These include: Technologically Advanced Aircraft (TAA), Complex, Floats, Skis, Tailwheels, and Multi-Engine. Go check out the Blue River fleet!

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CESSNA 172 – SINGLE ENGINE