We believe strongly in a highly structured curriculum for the instrument rating to make sure that fundamental skills are learned and demonstrated proficiently, before moving on to the next skill. We also want to make sure we can do this in the most cost effective way possible. Therefore, our Instrument Syllabus and lesson notes (created by Bill Lewis of SuccessLink Aviation, Inc. for Crosswinds Aviation) are designed to learn skills in our Redbird simulator prior to putting them into practice in the airplane. Once the syllabus has been completed, and if practice is still required to become proficient prior to the check-ride, the practice is completed in our Redbird sim with Pilotedge ATC services so the experience is just like flying IFR flights in the airplane. We have found that this produces a very high learning curve, a high degree of proficiency, at the lowest possible cost for our students.
First, here are the requirements by the FAA to achieve your Instrument Rating:
- 50 hours PIC cross-country
- 40 actual/simulated instrument time
- 15 hours with an instructor