Should You Get an Instrument Rating if You Don't Want to Be a Professional Pilot?

Should You Get an Instrument Rating if You Don’t Want to Be a Professional Pilot?

Wednesday, February 16, 2022 at 10:25 AM ET

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Everything you learn during the process of getting an instrument rating helps the rest of your flying. [Photo: Julie Boatman]

Key Takeaways:

An instrument rating significantly enhances the enjoyment and excitement of flying, making it a deeply rewarding challenge that improves overall piloting skills.
It increases the usefulness and frequency of your flying, allowing you to operate more often and effectively in varied conditions.
Crucially, an instrument rating boosts safety and reduces stress, especially on cross-country trips, by equipping pilots to navigate safely when visual references are unavailable.

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I’m not planning on being a professional pilot. Why should I get an instrument rating?

You may enjoy flying now—but with an instrument rating, you will enjoy it more.

Getting an instrument rating is, indeed, a lot of work, but it is mixed with fun. Flying on instruments is like solving a challenging crossword puzzle. It’s a lot of effort, but it’s deeply rewarding. Plus, everything you learn in the process applies to the rest of your flying and makes it more exciting too. If you equip an airplane you own to do it, you will enjoy flying that airplane more from then on.