Instrument rating

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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. Testing consists of a written exam and a practical test (known more commonly as the check ride). The check ride is divided into an oral part and a flight part.

For most private pilots, the most significant value of flying under IFR is the ability to fly in instrument meteorological conditions (such as inside clouds). Additionally, all flights operating in Class A airspace must be conducted under IFR. In the United States, an instrument rating is required when operating under Special visual flight rules (SVFR) at night.

In the UK private pilots can attend a less intensive training to acquire the IMC rating, restricted to the national airspace. The canadian license VFR OTT (over the top) allows private as well as commerical pilots to cross IMC areas when start and end of the trip is performed under VFR conditions.