What does it take to earn an instrument rating?
You need a Private Pilot Certificate, 50 hours of cross-country time as pilot in command, and 40 hours of actual or simulated instrument time, including 15 hours with a CFII. At Top Aviation Services you train with a CFII in our IFR-equipped Cessna 172M at Philip Billard Airport (KTOP), which has an ILS.
INSTRUMENT RATING BY THE NUMBERS
WHAT THE FAA REQUIRES
Under 14 CFR 61.65, an instrument rating for airplanes requires:
- At least a Private Pilot Certificate
- 50 hours of cross-country flight time as pilot in command (10 of them in airplanes)
- 40 hours of actual or simulated instrument time, including 15 hours of instrument flight training from an instrument instructor (CFII)
- 3 hours of instrument training within the 2 calendar months before your checkride
- An IFR cross-country of at least 250 nautical miles, with an instrument approach at each airport and three different kinds of approaches
- A passing instrument knowledge test and practical test (checkride)
HOW YOU TRAIN WITH US
You train with Braden Murdock, CFII, in N61684, our IFR-equipped Cessna 172M with a Garmin GNS 430W GPS navigator and dual G5 instruments (HSI and attitude indicator).
Home base matters for instrument students. Philip Billard Airport has a control tower and multiple published instrument approaches, including an ILS to Runway 13, so you practice real approaches without flying somewhere else first.
Need to build the 50 hours of cross-country time? Rent our aircraft at published rates once you are checked out.
FREQUENTLY ASKED
How many hours do you need for an instrument rating?
The FAA requires 50 hours of cross-country time as pilot in command and 40 hours of actual or simulated instrument time, including 15 hours of training with a CFII.
Do I need a private pilot license before an instrument rating?
Yes. You must hold at least a Private Pilot Certificate to earn an instrument rating.
What airplane is used for instrument training at Top Aviation Services?
Our IFR-equipped 1975 Cessna 172M (N61684), with a Garmin GNS 430W and dual G5 instruments, at $159.95 per Hobbs hour plus tax.
Who teaches instrument training at Top Aviation Services?
Braden Murdock, a Certified Flight Instructor – Instrument (CFII).
MORE TRAINING AT KTOP
NOT SURE
WHERE TO
BEGIN?
A discovery flight puts you in the cockpit with a CFI for 30–45 minutes over Topeka. No experience needed. $159.99 — counts toward your certificate.