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To acquire the Instrument Rating takes dedication, it takes commitment. For the year 2007, there were 503,740 private pilots, of which 309,865 had acquired their instrument rating. That equates to 62%. Quite an impressive number when you consider what is involved. However, how many of those pilots remain current, even proficient? There is quite a difference between the two. Currency is that minimum standard mandated by the PTS, proficiency is that standard that the individual maintains for for him/herself. A standard which permits you to fly on an IFR flight plan with confidence, knowing that if the workload piles up and things are looking a bit grim, you have the tools to complete that flight successfully, and with a sense of pride. And then, there are the pilots who have their rating just to say they have it and never do anything with it. Having that rating added to your private pilot certificate, immediately propels you from amateur pilot into the ranks of professionals, whilst remaining at the non commercial level. It is not to be taken lightly. Your going to be flying in the National Airspace System with the big boys. What kind of IFR pilot do you want to be?
New advanced G1000 Electronic Flight Instrument System. In this new age of electronic flight displays, glass cockpits and so forth, its easy to fall into the trap of wanting to attain your rating on one of these style systems. It's your choice, if that is how you want to learn. Bear in mind, that the present land based VOR system will be with us for some time to come, and it is still required for all IR candidates to be able to perform a conventional approach, on partial panel, simulating an EFIS failure. Those skills will still need to be acquired and honed regardless of what system you fly on. The G1000 system is extensive and will add more learning hours to the acquisition of your rating. Ask yourself, would you want to learn how to do math on a calculator never having learned the time honoured method of learning the principles on paper first, probably not.
Anyone can fly a hold when it's displayed for you, and all you have to do is follow it on the screen, knowing how to work out a holding pattern in your head with everything else going on, what heading you will need to execute that holding entry and subsequent hold precisely without a display, those are the type of skills you will need to know. Your going to have to learn the time honoured way of instrument flying anyway, on a conventional display as depicted above, so why not learn that way. Make it easier on yourself, and transition to your EFIS after you have the rating. You will be a much better instrument pilot for it.
Click on the left or hyperlink for a look at Part 61.65 to see if you meet the prerequisites. If you do not, don't worry, a custom training course can be developed for you to ensure successful completion.
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