IFR Training: More Than Just a Requirement

Here's why those three hours of instrument training are critical for VFR pilots.

Tuesday, March 18, 2025 at 11:21 AM ET

Verified

The purpose of the three hours of flight by instruments is not to encourage the applicant to intentionally fly into low-visibility conditions, but to keep them out of harm's way. [Credit: Adobe Stock]

Key Takeaways:

Many private pilot candidates neglect or postpone the mandatory 3 hours of instrument flight training (cFAR 61.109), mistakenly believing it's unnecessary if they don't intend to fly in IFR conditions.
This essential instrument training is critical for safety, enabling private pilots to prevent spatial disorientation and loss of control if they inadvertently encounter instrument meteorological conditions (IMC).
Effective instrument training should be integrated into lessons using a "building block" approach, rather than rushed into a single, fatiguing session, to maximize learning and retention.
Pilots should regularly practice instrument skills, such as the rudder-only 180-degree turn for inadvertent IMC entry, always with a safety pilot in VFR conditions.

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The private pilot candidate was in the polish-up stages of his training. I was tasked with performing a mock check ride. He did well in the knowledge portion, but a review of his logbook revealed he was missing the required three hours of flight training solely by reference to instruments as required under cFAR 61.109.

The applicant was disappointed and argued he never intended to fly in instrument conditions, so the training would be a waste of time and money.