Instrument Training Question

[WindyCityPilot]

Question for all the -II's out there.

How much flight and instruction time do you think it takes on average to complete the IR?

My current total time is ~95 hours. 3.4 hours simulated instrument from my PPL, and 36.6 hours cross country. I got my PPL with 44 hours and from everything my CFI and the DE told me I picked up everything I was taught very well. Not that this will mean anything for the IR but I've been around planes a lot growing up so from what I can tell I pickup new concepts and procedures very well.

Just curious what the average seems to be. I know there is no exact number just looking for a ballpark figure what some of the instructors are seeing.

Thanks!!

[Ian J]

By my own limited experience only, the 15 dual required is unrealistic. For those exceptionally self-motivated, it is possible.

From what I've seen first-hand, with a mix of very motivated to hardly motivated IR students, my ballpark would be 25-30 dual. Dang - maybe actually 40. I don't know.

IF I trained them only for the check-ride, 15 would be possible. I've got the DEs routine down pat, and could train a monkey to pass his ride quickly. I really aim to train an IR student to be able to fly real-world single pilot IFR.

Note: Rereading my own reply, it sounds arrogant. I swear, I'm not. I just really can't figure out how to train IR students quicker - so maybe it's me.

[bdhill1979]

It all varies by the student, how much are they willing to put into it.

I took my ride at 17 received and my CFII with an additional 3. I credit most of that to spending copious amounts of time on my home PC with IP trainer and On Top. Being able to shoot the same approach beforehand on the PC made things much less stressful and I was able to pay more attention to learning rather than just making it through. I was better prepared to stay ahead of the airplane and how the flow of an approach goes.

I highly recommend people spend time on whatever sim is available to them before the prop starts spinning.

[WindyCityPilot]

Cool. Thanks for the info! I'm pretty motivated when it comes to flying...I worked my tail off for my PPL and intend to do the same for the IR.

[cfii2007]

I'd say 35 hours total instrument, with maybe half being simulator.

Again, it depends....I took my ride at 49 hours instrument.

[exleardriver]

boy, they certainly all range in ability as well as time they can devote to the rating. age and fatigue from work are factors as well. you want them to have either passed the written before beginning training or make sure they complete it as soon as practical after beginning so you can focus on having them 'peak' at the right time without the distraction of having to stop flying to concentrate on the written. i do an enormous amount of ground, which saves time and money for the student, plus i'm not a time-builder..i've got plenty time and choose what's best for the students' needs now that i 'retired' from part 135 to return to being a professional flight instructor. i build a checklist with the student that well use for their personal airplane or the rentals that help them in the learning stage..and also do a lot of 'hangar flying' - sitting in the a/c, practicing talking through the procedures and communication before flying. teach the stuff on the ground, not in the air, if you want them to really learn the material. i initially devote 5-10 hours of nothing but basic attitude instrument flying before ever initiating approaches. if they cannot control the airplane by reference to instruments, flying approaches is a non-productive waste of time and money.

[cre8flyer]

I just signed off 2 guys with 30 hours dual + 15 in the sim. Based on that experience, it should be possible to do less dual (20?) and more sim (20?).

Make sure you get some actual IMC - I don't know why the FARs do not require this, it is a much better learning experience than foggles.

[exleardriver]

+1 cre8flyer...i've never signed off for an instrument rating for a student who received no actual. it must be tough for some instructors working out in some parts west where it's difficult to get those cruddy days. i'd have hated back in the day for my first 'actual' to be alone.