Instrument Rating (IR) For PPL Holders
The instrument rating allows you to pilot your aircraft in some of the worst weather and some of the busiest airspace in the world; therefore as you would expect this is one of the most demanding ratings. Your training will encompass flight purely on instruments including simulated emergencies, departures, approaches and flights within the airways.
What are the experience and training requirements?
The UK CAA have recently changed the requirements of the IR course in order to fall into line with the rest of the European member countries. This change means that the actual hours of training in the aircraft or simulator are factored to give a true representation of the time spent on instruments within the flight.
Flight Academy is proud to be the first Flight Training Organisation in the UK to be fully compliant with this new, higher standard and as such our course breakdowns differ from other non-compliant organisations as detailed below.
In order to gain your IR you will need to pass 7 theoretical examinations and undergo 55 hours of factored instrument training. You will also need to hold either a Class 1 Medical or a Class 2 Medical with an Audiogram. If you have already undertaken your ATPL examinations but are not yet the holder of a commercial licence you do not need to retake the theoretical examinations.
The individual theoretical examinations for the grant of an I.R. consist of:
• Air Law
• General Navigation
• Aircraft General Knowledge
• Operational Procedures
• Flight Performance and Planning
• Principles of Flight
• Human Performance and Limitations
• Communications (IFR)
• Meteorology
Please note that these written examinations cannot be conducted at Flight Academy Blackpool. They can be taken at Bristol Groundschool either on a full-time basis or via distance learning.
The PPL IR flight training consists of:
• 38 Hours training in the simulator or 40 Hours training in the single
engine aircraft.
• 20 Hours training in the multi engine aircraft.
We also offer a full course on the SEP or the glass cockpit MEP
aircraft which consists of:
• 65.5 Hours training in the aircraft.
On completion of your course you would then need to take and pass a flight test with a CAA examiner.
What is the validity of my rating?
The IR is valid for 12 months and is renewed by means of a flight test with a registered examiner. For MEP IR you may renew your rating using the simulator for alternate renewals meaning that you could renew in the simulator in your first year and then you would need to renew in the aircraft the following year and so on. (See out IR renewals page for more information. click here.)
How much will it cost?
Below are the hourly training rates for Instrument Rating training for group and non-group members.
Non-Group Member Hourly Rates
| Aircraft Type | Price | Landing Fee |
| Simulator | £110 | N/A |
| Piper PA28RT-201T Arrow | £225 | £14.70 |
| Piper PA34-200T Seneca | £385 | £20.80 |
| Diamond DA42 Twinstar | £425 | £20.80 |
Group Member Hourly Rates
| Aircraft Type | Price | Landing Fee |
| Simulator | £110 | N/A |
| Piper PA28RT-201T Arrow | £185 | £14.70 |
| Piper PA34-200T Seneca | £325 | £20.80 |
| Diamond DA42 Twinstar | £325 | £20.80 |
PPL IR Packages
Buying a package is by far the most cost-effective way of funding your
training. The course costs include your navigation fees, but do not
include approach and landing fees. Our packages include:
- 38 Hours instruction in our FNPT II approved simulator
- 20 Hours instruction in our well equipped aircraft
- Or 65.5 Hours instruction in our well equipped aircraft (No simulator)
- Groundschool for all pre-flight and post flight briefs and de-briefs
- 170A test fee
Non-Group Member Package Rates
| Aircraft Type | Price |
| Simulator and PA34-200T Seneca | £11,286 |
| Simulator and Diamond DA42 | £12,046 |
| PA28R and PA34-200T Seneca | £17,041 |
| PA28R and Diamond DA42 | £17,801 |
| PA28R (SEP Only) | £14,001 |
| Diamond DA42 | £26,446 |
Group Member Package Rates
| Aircraft Type | Price |
| Simulator and PA34-200T Seneca | £10,146 |
| Simulator and Diamond DA42 | £10,146 |
| PA28R and PA34-200T Seneca | £14,172 |
| PA28R and Diamond DA42 | £14,172 |
| PA28R (SEP Only) | £11,512 |
| Diamond DA42 | £20,224 |
NB: To qualify for AGL Member rates, the student must have been a member of AGL for at least 6 months and must have a top level membership (MEP) upon course commencement.
