Instrument rating refers to the qualifications that a pilot must have in order to fly under instrument flight rules (IFR). It requires additional training and instruction beyond what is required for a private pilot certificate or commercial pilot certificate, including rules and procedures specific to instrument flying, additional instruction in meteorology, and more intensive training in flight solely by reference to instruments.
For most private pilots, the most significant value of flying under IFR is the ability to fly in instrument meteorological conditions enhancing flexibility. Additionally, all flights operating in Class A airspace, must be conducted under IFR, and an instrument rating is required when operating under special visual flight rules (SVFR) at night.
Being able to accomplish all this will make you a safer pilot by thinking in terms of safe altitudes, fine tuning you flying skills, expanding your options, enhancing your flow and checklist skills, and maximizing you cockpit resource skills.
Join Herb Patten and Dave Kramer in this timely discussion of how and why to get your instrument rating
Herb Patten is an FAA certificated advanced and instrument ground instructor who teaches private pilot ground school at San Carlos Flight Center. He holds a private pilot certificate with an instrument rating, has over 800 hours and flown into 111 different California airports. He is co-founder of the Bay Area Student and New Pilot Support Group, and a board member of the Upwind Foundation, famous for its Upwind Summer Scholarship Program. In 2015, Herb was named a Master Instructor by the National Association of Flight Instructors.
Dave Kramer MD is an instrument rated, tailwheel endorsed private pilot as well as a basic and instrument ground instructor with an interest in weather. He has been flying since 2012, has over 900 hours of which over 300 have been in the IFR system. He also enjoys flying at night as well as flying in the LA area.
This event qualifies for FAA Wings credit.
Any questions, contact us at (650) 946-1700
or info@sancarlosflight.com.
San Carlos Flight Center is committed to promoting safety in general aviation through our evening safety seminar programs. Space is often limited so it is important to sign up early through the FAA event notification system at FAASAFETY.GOV. SCFC members may choose to watch the seminar live over the web at home. Contact your SCFC member service rep at (650) 946-1700 to confirm secure online access to any particular seminar.
