Accelerated Instrument Training

For motivated individuals, some schools offer an accelerated program that allows pilots to obtain their instrument rating in just 10 days for a fixed all-inclusive price. The training is called accelerated because it is based on a full-day schedule of flying 2 or 3 times a day supplemented with ground and simulator sessions. This extremely concentrated level of instruction is available to any private pilot that meets the prerequisite number of flying hours, can pass an instrument pilot knowledge exam, holds a third-class FAA medical certificate, and can demonstrate proficiency in visual flight rules (VFR).

For this reason, these schools consider the intensity of their instrument training sufficient enough for any experienced private pilot to get his or her instrument rating in only 10 days.

Included in the guaranteed single-price is unlimited hours in a simulator and unlimited instructor time. In fact, some schools even supply a personal one-on-one instructor for each student. The FAA Examiner’s fee is the only out-of-pocket training expense, usually around $350. Better yet, the cost of this program is significantly less if you use your own airplane for the training. Not only is the bottom-line cost reduced but the free use of a private hangar for your plane is also included in the fixed-price.

Estimated Fixed Costs:

• $5,000 - your airplane is used for the instrument training
• $7,200 - the school’s plane is used

In the event the student needs more than the 10 days to finish the course because of weather delays, aircraft breakdowns, or simply to acquire more needed training, some schools will provide the instructor training at no extra charge for a student-owned aircraft but if the airplane belongs to the school, the per hour rental fee will be charged (around $110 per hour for a Cessna 172). Other schools will provide two extra days of training free of charge. If the two days is still insufficient, one additional day is billed at 50% of the daily rate. For any additional days the student is billed at the full daily rate which is $600 for a student-owned airplane or $850 for a school-owned airplane.

Flying under instrument flying rules is often spoken of as being the most challenging and at the same time the most rewarding flying a pilot will ever do. Although costs always play a significant role in one’s decision-making, shop around, and try to err on the side of quality training from a quality school. Your life may depend on it!