Helicopter Instrument Rating (currently available under Part 61)

Whether you are a career helicopter pilot, or just a weekend hobby pilot, an Instrument Rating not only allows a duly rated pilot to fly in Instrument Meteorological Conditions (ie: in the clouds), it also gives you the piece of mind that should you accidentally end up in the clouds in an unplanned weather situation, you have the training necessary to bring the the aircraft and your passengers back safely. The Helicopter Instrument rating is also an important stepstone towards the Helicopter ATP certificate. FAA Requirements Prerequisites: Hold at least a current Private Pilot or Commercial Pilot Certificate with an aircraft category and class rating that applies to the instrument rating sought (Helicopter Private/Commercial Pilot Certificate). Be able to read, speak write and understand the English language.

Steps to geting your Helicopter Instrument Rating:

1. Pass a written knowledge test to FAA standards.
2. Fulfill the minimum requirements of flight time and training specified by the FAA (see below).
3. Pass an oral examination, and flight test (Practical Test) given by the FAA or an approved Designated Pilot Examiner.

Minimum requirements for an Instrument Rating:

A person who applies for an instrument rating must have logged the following:

1. At least 50 hours of cross-country flight time as pilot in command
2. A total of 40 hours of actual or simulated instrument time that include:
   • At least 15 hours of instrument flight training from an authorized instructor in the aircraft category (Helicopter) for which the instrument rating is sought;
   • At least 3 hours of instrument training that is appropriate to the instrument rating sought from an authorized instructor in preparation for the practical test within the 60 days preceding the date of the test;
3. For an instrument-helicopter rating, instrument training specific to helicopters on cross-country flight procedures that includes at least one cross-country flight in a helicopter that is performed under Instrument Flight Rules (IFR), and consists of:
   • A distance of at least 100 nautical miles along airways or ATC directed routing;
   • An instrument approach at each airport; and
   • Three different kinds of approaches with the use of navigation systems

All Rates include Fuel and Flight Instructor Fees. Instruction and Training Costs are non-taxable. All books and equipment costs are subject to local and state sales tax. All FAA and Medical Exam fees are paid to the respective examiners. Pricing examples shown use Block Rates. Add $25 per flight hour and $5 per ground training hour for Pay-Go Rates. Hours listed reflect FAA minimum and/or Insurance required flight hours. Many students may require additional flight training to obtain proficiency required for checkride.

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