What does it mean to have an “instrument rating”? There are two overall conditions of flight; VFR and IFR. VFR stands for Visual Flight Rules. When you have a private pilot’s license, you are allowed to fly in VFR weather and visibility conditions. Under VFR rules, as the name implies, you must always remain clear of the clouds and be able to visually see where you are. What if the weather is low overcast but otherwise a very nice day? What if there are clouds that you cannot avoid between where you are and where you’re going? Well, that’s where IFR comes in.

What does an instrument rating offer you?

By being an instrument rated pilot, you are allowed to fly into conditions of restricted visibility and into clouds. These are considered IFR or Instrument Flight Rules. Having this ability further expands your freedom and your travel possibilities. Pilots all confirm that earning your instrument rating makes you more of a complete pilot.

Do I have to earn my instrument rating to be a safe pilot?

Absolutely not. Becoming and remaining a quality aviator is a choice, whether you are a private pilot or an instrument rated pilot. Most pilots who earn their instrument rating do so because they want to expand their flying possibilities and add a higher degree of expertise to their flying knowledge. An instrument rating is a confidence builder and a very good idea for those who fly often from point to point.

Ask one of our flight instructors their opinion of earning an instrument rating. We always encourage you to ask for their input. The good news is that you earn your private rating first and then your instrument rating, so you can make your decisions one step at a time.

How long does it take to earn an instrument rating?

We always recommend that you call and speak with one of our instructors about questions like this. The answer to how long it takes to earn your instrument rating, in part, depends on your starting point. You must first have your private pilots license. Beyond that, you’ll need to have a specific number of logged hours, under specific conditions, pass a written test, pass a check ride, etc. How fast you work through this is up to you and your instructor. Any confusion? Don’t sweat it. Your instructor will step you right through the process and make it all clear and with a very specific plan to get you there.

What are the specific FAA requirements to earn my instrument rating?

Here are the FAA Instrument Rating Training Requirements:

• Hold a Private Pilot Certificate
• Hold a current FAA Medical Certificate
• Pass the FAA written and practical test for the Instrument Rating
• 50 hours of cross country time as pilot in command (PIC)
• 10 hours of flight time in an airplane
• 40 hours of actual or simulated instrument flight time, including;
  • 15 hours of instrument dual instruction
  • 3 hours of instruction by a CFII in preparation for the practical test

Email us and ask us any questions relating to becoming an instrument rated pilot. We’ll email you back with a .pdf sheet outlining the requirements and send a helpful link and other useful information.

(eCFR — Code of Federal Regulations — Instrument Rating Requirements)

As the name implies, a multi-engine rating gives you the ability to fly aircraft with two (or more) engines. As you can imagine, this demands a higher degree of skill and expertise. Before you can contemplate the demands of flying with two engines, you must first have a mastery of the basics such as radio work, navigation, airspace, and procedures.

So, what is different about a multi-engine plane, other than the second engine?

Multi-engine aircraft are typically faster, heavier, more complex, have retractable gear, but have higher performance. The benefits of being able to fly a multi-engine aircraft include a higher degree of safety (two engines are better than one), the ability to carry more passengers and bags, fly higher, farther, and faster. Of course with higher performance and capability comes more demand on the pilot.

What are the requirements to earn a multi-engine rating?

Your Murfreesboro Aviation flight instructor will teach you to operate the aircraft safely and to handle emergency situations, while providing a non-threatening learning environment. We are relentless about teaching safety, maintaining safety margins, and exercising intelligent decision making. The more capable the aircraft, the more important this becomes.

Here are the FAA Multi-Engine Training Requirements:

• You must hold a current FAA Private Pilot or Commercial Pilot Certificate
• You must receive the appropriate training for multi-engine aircraft from a certificated flight instructor, and your training must be logged
• You must receive a multi-engine endorsement from a certificated flight instructor
• You must pass an oral examination by an FAA Certificated Examiner
• You must pass a Practical test (flight test) with an FAA Certificated Examiner

Email us and ask for the specific requirements to become a multi-engine pilot. We’ll email you back with a .pdf sheet outlining the requirements and send a helpful link and other useful information.

How long does it take to earn a multi-engine rating?

Just as when you earn your instrument rating, the time it takes to earn your multi-engine rating depends on where you begin. Earning a multi-engine rating has no minimum hour requirements, but you must first possess a private pilot’s license. With that as a starting point, the time is takes to earn your rating is based on the time you invest in training, and your ability to safely handle the aircraft to the satisfaction of your instructor and ultimately, an FAA examiner. Your instructor will move you through the process as quickly as you care to move. Typically you’ll need 5 hours to 15 hours of instruction.

Why become a multi-engine pilot?

When you earn your multi-engine rating, you will enjoy greater freedom, greater capability, expanded opportunities, and sharper piloting skills. It is a wonderfully exhilarating experience to push the throttles forward on two engines, feel as you are pushed back into the seat, and enjoy the hum of two powerful engines as they propel you into the skies! You should try it sometime!

If you are on the path to becoming a professional pilot, then you already understand why it is important to be a multi-engine rated pilot. Without it, you’ll be limited to single-engine aircraft and will most certainly miss opportunities to fly bigger and faster aircraft.

This is where all of your hard work and flying experience starts to pay off. Literally! With a commercial rating you can now be compensated for your flying! Want to become an airline pilot, fly for a charter company, be a corporate pilot, or fly freight? With a commercial rating you now have met one of the major qualifications for employment and the money now comes to you rather than from you! Congratulations!

As a commercial pilot more is expected from you. Also, you now have to think beyond the cockpit and remember that you have passengers on board. It’s important that you communicate with your passengers and keep then advised before, during, and after the flight. As a private or instrument rated pilot, you may choose to fly through some known turbulence or weather because you know it is safe to do so and only going to last a few minutes. But, with passengers now aboard, you may choose a longer, but smoother, route of flight. Also, airlines and charter operators have their own requirements and policies regarding weather and decision making that may be more restrictive than the Federal Aviation Regulations. These are some of the considerations of a commercial pilot.

Here are the FAA Commercial Pilot Certificate Requirements:

• Be at least 18 years of age
• Hold at least a Private Pilot Certificate
• Hold at least a second class medical certificate to exercise commercial privileges
• Pass the FAA written and practical test for the Commercial Pilot Certificate
• Accumulate flight experience. You must log at least 250 hours which must consist of at least..
  • 100 hours in a powered aircraft, of which 50 hours must be in airplanes
  • 100 hours as Pilot In Command (PIC) time which includes at least 50 hours in an airplane

Email us and ask for the specific requirements to become a commercial pilot. We’ll email you back with a .pdf sheet outlining the requirements and send a helpful link and other useful information.

(eCFR — Code of Federal Regulations — Subpart F — Commercial Pilots)

CFI – Certified Flight Instructor

CFII – Certified Flight Instructor Instrument

MEI – Multi-Engine Instructor

Want to teach others to fly, build your flying hours, attain the highest degree of pilot proficiency, but get paid to do it? Become a CFI! Maybe you can join our team and become a CFI for Murfreesboro Aviation! We’ll help you get there!

Sit down with one of our CFI’s and they’ll walk you through a specific plan to get you from where you are to CFI. Like flying itself, developing a career takes thought, planning, action, and advice from others who’ve been where you are and can help you get to where you want to go. Let us help! Murfreesboro Aviation is the busiest privately-owned flight school in the state of Tennessee. Our CFI’s are the best in the business. We choose the best instructors and have the volume of students to allow the CFI’s to fly daily and gain valuable flight time and experience.

Contact us and ask for the specific requirements to become a certified flight instructor/CFI. We’ll email you back with a .pdf sheet outlining the requirements and send a helpful link and other useful information.

Earning your CFII and MEI may follow you becoming a CFI. Call us, and we’ll answer all of your questions.