Training in Actual IFR Can Be Good for You

There's no rule that says you must fly in the clouds, but, if you need to, an instrument rating will allow you to do so legally and safely.

Meg Godlewski

Tuesday, December 20, 2022 at 11:36 AM ET

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Having an instrument rating can give you more confidence in the airplane and can also reduce your insurance costs. [Credit: Shutterstock]

Key Takeaways:

An instrument rating significantly enhances a pilot's confidence and safety, allowing legal flight in Instrument Meteorological Conditions (IMC), potentially reducing insurance costs, and serving as a prerequisite for flight instructors.
Gaining actual IMC experience is crucial for developing essential instrument scanning skills and preventing disorientation, making it important to seek training environments that provide this valuable exposure.
Obtaining an instrument rating involves specific training requirements under FAR 61.65, including 40 hours of instrument time, dedicated instrument cross-country flights, and proficiency in various approach procedures.

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“Get on the gauges, you’re going to feel a little bump.”

These were the words of my CFII (certified flight instructor-instrument) the first time he took me into the clouds. He is ex-Air Force and taught me to fly the AF way. The acronyms MARTHA, the UPs and the 5Ts were all part of my training—as was going in and out of clouds. “Nothing but water vapor!” he declared. We always double checked the temperature because flying through a cloud in freezing conditions would turn us into a Cessna-cicle or Piper-cicle in a hurry, something we wished to avoid.