What is IFR certified aircraft? (2023)

What does it mean to be IFR certified?

The Instrument Rating is the next step after obtaining a Private pilot certificate. It enables a pilot to fly in any type of weather condition and at any altitude. Instrument Flight Rules (IFR) allow properly equipped aircraft to be flown under instrument meteorological conditions (IMC).

In the United States, to file and fly under IFR, a pilot must be instrument-rated and, within the preceding six months, have flown six instrument approaches, as well as holding procedures and course interception and tracking with navaids.

The classic Cessna 172 is a four-place aircraft certified for instrument flight. Great for travel or training, its proven design has made it the most-flown aircraft ever; more 172's have been built than any other aircraft.

A 150 is satisfactory for IFR as long as there is a good alternate airport close by, because its shortcoming is a 3.5-hour endurance at 100 knots at 75-percent power.

The base price for IFR certification was $450. We received certification that they tested and verified the transponder, altimeter, static systems and altitude reporting equipment meets FAR 91.411, FAR 91.413 and FAR 43 – Appendix E & F.

Becoming an instrument rated pilot requires 40 hours of simulated or actual IFR conditions. How long this takes depends on how often you are able to fly. Assuming each training flight is 2 hours in length, it would require 20 training flights.

50 hours of cross-country flight time as pilot in command. Forty hours of actual or simulated instrument time, including 15 hours must have been received from an authorized instructor. Three hours of instrument flight training within two calendar months before the check ride.

It is not necessary to have DME, ADF or even GPS provided that you can fly two different nonprecision approaches and one precision approach. Nonprecision approaches should have no vertical guidance, thus excluding the LNAV/VNAV and LNAV+V approaches.

IFR flight in experimental aircraft is acceptable, provided the aircraft has passed its flight test period, meets the equipment requirements of 14 CFR 91.205 and has the appropriate statements in the operating limitations.

Are two radios required for IFR?

No, you needed two. And the need for two communications radios remains obvious—what if one breaks? Gotta have a backup. Besides, with two of them you can continue to monitor ATC while you sneak off to get some weather on the other radio.

14 CFR 91.205 describes the minimum equipment required for IFR flight. Pitot heat is not included.

In addition to the transponder tests required for VFR, IFR aircraft are required to have each altimeter, encoder and static system inspected and certified. These tests are more involved and usually requires the removal of the altimeter and altitude encoder for bench testing and adjustment.

(5) This aircraft is to be operated under VFR, day only, unless appropriately equipped for night and/or instrument flight in accordance with 14 CFR § 91.205, and when allowed by the manufacturer's operating instructions.

In the US, per 14 CFR Part 103.11, you can not operate an ultralight at night or IFR.

It will likely cost around $7,500-$10,000 to get your instrument rating. However, unlike other types of training and education, you can spend a lot more money on flight training than you expected to pay.

Getting an instrument rating is challenging yet rewarding. As with any flying qualification, the difficulty level depends on how much theory and practice you undertake. The flight handling is identical to VFR flying. It is easily achievable as long as you know the rules and develop a good scan.

Privileges and Limitations

Your Instrument Rating never expires, but you must have flown 6 approaches, a holding pattern, and tracked a course within the 6 months preceding the month of the flight.

The easiest way is to read the Aircraft Flight Manual (AFM) or Aircraft Flight Manual Supplement (AFMS). If the the GPS was installed at the factory, it will be addressed in the AFM. If it was installed later via an Supplemental Type Certificate (STC), there must be an AFMS to cover the operation of the GPS.

Why do I need an instrument rating?

The most obvious benefit of holding an instrument rating is the ability to fly in weather conditions below VFR minimums. It is particularly useful when you fly long distances because it is frequently difficult to travel far without encountering weather systems requiring instrument pilot skills.

Basic Instrument Rating Requirements

Hold at least a private pilot certificate. Be able to speak English. Take a ground school training course or receive ground training from an authorized instructor. Receive a logbook endorsement certifying you are prepared for the FAA knowledge test.

An operator shall not conduct single pilot IFR operations unless the aeroplane is equipped with an autopilot with at least altitude hold and heading mode. So, yes, for a single pilot IFR flight in EASAland you need an AP. Safe landings !

The aircraft must be equipped with a DME receiver if DME is required to fly the approach procedure(s) at the alternate airport. Aircraft utilizing IFR GPS in lieu of DME operating at or above FL240 are not required to be equipped with DME.

Airliners have their own navigation systems that only use GPS as a part of the navigation solution. Inertial Navigation Systems (INS) track the aircraft's location by measuring changes in the aircraft speed, turn, etc. So any airliner that lost GPS capability would continue normally.

More than half the pilots eventually get an instrument rating but only a small percentage of those maintain instrument currency. One association president said a while back that only 15 percent of its instrument-rated members were instrument current.

In many cases, helicopters are certificated for IFR operations with either one or two pilots. Certain equipment is required to be installed and functional for two pilot operations, and typically, additional equipment is required for single pilot operation.

Due to the low levels of travel during the night, and the cold breezes that tend to happen at night, many pilots tend to find it easier to fly at night than they do during the day. This is because there isn't as much friction against the wings, which allows the flight to be smoother, and hopefully without turbulence.

The Cessna 172 Skyhawk is widely considered the easiest plane to fly. While many factors come into play that makes the Cessna 172 so easy to fly, the most influential features are its high wing configuration, powerful engine, spacious & comfortable cockpit, and intuitive and forgiving controls.

“You are not allowed to fly IFR in a Light-Sport Aircraft” is a common dismissal from many in aviation.

Can a VFR pilot file IFR?

“If you can safely depart VFR and I emphasize safely, you can file an IFR flight plan specifying the departure point as an airport near where you would like to pick up the IFR clearance. A pilot departing VFR must be aware of the position of the aircraft and the relative terrain and obstructions.

If Communication Is Lost in a Holding Pattern:

If holding at a fix that is not an IAF, leave holding at the EFC time or, if none has been received, upon arrival over the fix. Then proceed to an IAF and commence descent and approach as close as possible to the ETA filed or the ETE as amended with ATC.

If an aircraft is airborne and loses radio contact with the controller, they are expected to continue on their last cleared route and execute an approach to that airport. Controllers would keep aircraft out of the way of this aircraft. This happens very rarely.

Class Charlie Airspace surrounds those airports that have an at least operational Air Traffic Control Tower (ATCT), and Terminal Radar Approach Controls (TRACON) These air traffic control agencies provide radar services which apply whenever operating within Class C airspace as depicted on various aeronautical charts.

The 100-hour inspection is required for aircraft: That carry any person (other than a crew member) for hire; or. That are provided by any person giving flight instruction for hire.

A typical 100-hour or annual inspection for a small training aircraft can take about three days, but it may take longer depending on the aircraft and the steps the A&P or IA uses to accomplish the inspection.

All flight school aircraft require both a 100-hour inspection and an annual inspection. Aircraft not used for flight training only require an annual inspection, like your car.

Basically, a pitot tube is used in wind tunnel experiments and on airplanes to measure flow speed. It's a slender tube that has two holes on it. The front hole is placed in the airstream to measure what's called the stagnation pressure.

As I interpret such a checklist item, pitot heat is to be used AS REQUIRED for the safe completion of the flight, usually if the pilot anticipates entering clouds, or other areas with moisture where freezing conditions exist and icing might be encountered.

50 hours of cross-country flight time as pilot in command. Forty hours of actual or simulated instrument time, including 15 hours must have been received from an authorized instructor. Three hours of instrument flight training within two calendar months before the check ride.

How do planes get IFR certified?

Aeroplanes operated under IFR shall be equipped with: (a) a means of measuring and displaying the following: (1) magnetic heading; (2) time in hours, minutes and seconds; (3) pressure altitude; (4) indicated airspeed; (5) vertical speed; (6) turn and slip; (7) attitude; (8) stabilised heading; (9) outside air ...

Per the federal aviation regulations 14 CFR 91.413, all transponder-equipped aircraft must have their transponder tested and certified every two years, in addition to the biennial altimeter and encoder checks required by 14 CFR 91.411 and 91.217 for aircraft that will be operated under IFR.

In addition to the transponder tests required for VFR, IFR aircraft are required to have each altimeter, encoder and static system inspected and certified. These tests are more involved and usually requires the removal of the altimeter and altitude encoder for bench testing and adjustment.

Flying IFR is both easier and harder than flying VFR. A predetermined route gets you to your destination, and, as long as you follow your navigation aids correctly, you don't have to worry about avoiding airspace, how to find the airport or how to enter the traffic pattern.

No, you cannot fly under IFR without an instrument rating. However, if you are not acting as pilot in command, you are able to file an IFR flight plan without an instrument rating.

It will likely cost around $7,500-$10,000 to get your instrument rating. However, unlike other types of training and education, you can spend a lot more money on flight training than you expected to pay.

Yes you can file direct even without a GPS. However it would be advisable to perform a RAIM check during your pre-flight along your intended route and determine that you would be in RAIM during the route. If for some reason your GPS loses RAIM capability then you should proceed using VOR/DME/ADF.

(5) This aircraft is to be operated under VFR, day only, unless appropriately equipped for night and/or instrument flight in accordance with 14 CFR § 91.205, and when allowed by the manufacturer's operating instructions.

The easiest way is to read the Aircraft Flight Manual (AFM) or Aircraft Flight Manual Supplement (AFMS). If the the GPS was installed at the factory, it will be addressed in the AFM. If it was installed later via an Supplemental Type Certificate (STC), there must be an AFMS to cover the operation of the GPS.

More than half the pilots eventually get an instrument rating but only a small percentage of those maintain instrument currency. One association president said a while back that only 15 percent of its instrument-rated members were instrument current.

How many hours does it take to train an instrument?

It takes a minimum of 40 hours of instrument time to obtain an instrument rating. Instrument time is the time you spend flying the airplane while looking only at the instruments on the instrument panel.

So while you can start your instrument training the same day you take your private checkride, the most honest answer is that you should start on your IFR training whenever you are personally ready.

An operator shall not conduct single pilot IFR operations unless the aeroplane is equipped with an autopilot with at least altitude hold and heading mode. So, yes, for a single pilot IFR flight in EASAland you need an AP. Safe landings !

IFR flight in experimental aircraft is acceptable, provided the aircraft has passed its flight test period, meets the equipment requirements of 14 CFR 91.205 and has the appropriate statements in the operating limitations.