Instruments Flying Canada (IFR)

Get your instrument rating!

Getting this rating on your pilot license teaches a pilot how to fly using only the instruments in the plane, all without ever once seeing the ground. We call this kind of flight, IFR Flights. Instrument Flight Reference or Intruments flying rules.

Here are the requirements of Transport Canada to obtain the Instrument license annotation on a private aircraft.

IMPORTANT: This is for information only. Always check the latest info from the officials sources.

DIVISION XIV - INSTRUMENT RATINGS

421.46 Requirements

(1) General
An instrument rating is issued for aircraft in one of the following groups:
(a) Group 1 for all aeroplanes where the flight test was conducted in a multi-engine aeroplane,
(b) Group 2 for multi-engine center line thrust and single engine aeroplanes where the flight test was conducted in a multi-engine center line thrust aeroplane,
c) Group 3 for single engine aeroplanes where the flight test was conducted in a single engine aeroplane, and
(d) Group 4 for helicopters where the flight test was conducted in a helicopter.

(2) Requirements
(a) Knowledge
An applicant shall have obtained a minimum of 70% on the written examination Instrument Rating (INRAT) which shall include the following subjects:
(i) Canadian Aviation Regulations;
(ii) Instrument Flight Rules and Procedures;
(iii) Meteorology;
(iv) Instruments;
(v) Radio and Radar systems; and
(vi) Navigation.
(b) Experience
An applicant shall have completed a minimum of:
(i) 50 hours of cross-country flight as pilot-in-command in aeroplanes or helicopters of which 10 hours must be in the appropriate category; and
(ii) 40 hours of instrument time of which a maximum of 20 hours may be instrument ground time. The 40 hours of instrument time shall include a minimum of:
(A) 5 hours of dual instrument flight time acquired from the holder of a flight instructor rating,
(B) 5 hours in aeroplanes where the applicant is applying for a Group 1, 2 or 3 instrument rating or in helicopters where the applicant is applying for a Group 4 instrument rating,
(C) Fifteen (15) hours of dual instrument flight time provided by a qualified person as specified in section 425.21(9); and (amended 1998/03/23)
(D) one dual cross-country flight under simulated or actual IMC conditions of a minimum of 100 nautical miles, the flight to be conducted in accordance with an IFR flight plan to include, at two different locations, an instrument approach to minima .
(c) Skill
An applicant shall successfully complete: (amended 1999/03/01)
(i) a flight test in accordance with the Flight Test Standards - Instrument Rating (TP 9939E), (amended 2005/12/01)
(ii) a Pilot Proficiency Check (PPC) for operations under IFR in accordance with Part VI or Part VII, as applicable, or (amended 2005/12/01)
(iii) an applicant who successfully completes a Line Operational Evaluation (LOE) from an approved Advanced Qualification Program (AQP) is considered to have met the Part VI or Part VII pilot proficiency check. (amended 2005/12/01; no previous version)

(3) Credits for DND Applicants
(a) The experience requirements specified in sub-paragraph 2(b) above may be acquired under the instruction of equivalent military personnel.
(b) The flight test specified in paragraph (c) shall be deemed to have been met for Canadian Forces personnel who: (amended 1998/09/01)
(i) have reached wings standard;
(ii) hold an unrestricted Canadian Forces instrument rating appropriate to the class and type of aircraft; and
(iii) have met the experience requirements specified in subsection 2.

(4) Foreign Applicants
The experience requirements specified in subparagraph 2(b) may be acquired under the instruction of foreign instructors with qualifications equivalent to those specified in Subpart 5.
421.48 Period of Validity
(1) 24 months calculated to the first day of the twenty-fifth month following the month in which the flight test was conducted.
(2) An instrument rating may be issued for a period of less than twenty four months.

421.49 Renewal of Instrument Rating
(1) An applicant for the renewal of an instrument rating shall successfully complete the flight test referred to in paragraph 421.46(2)(c). (amended 1999/03/01)

(2) An applicant who successfully completes a Line Operational Evaluation (LOE) from an approved Advanced Qualification Program (AQP) shall be considered to have met the pilot proficiency check requirement pursuant to Part VII of the Canadian Aviation Regulations. (amended 2005/12/01)

(3) An applicant for the renewal of an instrument rating, who is employed by the holder of a private operator certificate issued pursuant to section 604.03 of the Canadian Aviation Regulations, with a pilot training and proficiency certification program, shall successfully complete that program and be certified proficient for operations under IFR by the chief pilot. (amended 2005/12/01)
Note: For the purpose of subsections (2) and (3), the chief pilot's assessment of an applicant's competence and proficiency shall be based on the mandatory items set out in TP 9939 Flight Test Standards - Instrument Ratings and, or TP 6533 - Approved Check Pilot Manual Chapter 10 - Assessment Standards. (amended 2005/12/01)

(4) An applicant for the renewal of an instrument rating that expired more than 24 months before the date of application, shall: (amended 1999/03/01)
(a) successfully complete the flight test referred to in paragraph 421.46(2)(c); and (amended 1999/03/01)
(b) obtain a minimum of 70% in the written examination (INRAT) described in CAR 421.46(2)(a) - Knowledge Requirement. (amended 1999/03/01)

(5) An applicant who holds a Canadian Forces unrestricted instrument rating and whose civil instrument rating expired more than 24 months before the date of application, shall be considered to have met the INRAT examination requirement, provided that: (amended 2000/09/01)
(a) the applicant holds a valid pilot license; and (amended 2000/09/01)
(b) the Canadian Forces flight test for renewal was done in a multi-engine aeroplane if a Group 1 instrument rating is held, in a single-engine aeroplane if a Group 3 instrument rating is held or in a helicopter if a Group 4 instrument rating is held. (amended 2000/09/01)

(6) An applicant who holds a Canadian Commercial Pilot License or Airline Transport Pilot License and whose instrument rating expired more than 24 months before the date of application, is considered to have met the INRAT examination requirement, provided that the applicant: (amended 2005/12/01)
(a) holds a Commercial Pilot License or Airline Transport Pilot License issued by a Contracting State; (amended 1999/03/01)
(b) holds an instrument rating issued by a Contracting State; and (amended 1999/03/01)
(c) successfully completes, within the 12 months preceding the date of application for the rating, an instrument flight test while working for hire or reward in a commercial operation while outside of Canada, and provides the Minister with a copy of: (amended 2005/12/01)
(i) the foreign flight test record; (amended 2005/12/01; no previous version)
(ii) the foreign license, provided it indicates that the instrument flight test was completed within the 12 months preceding the date of application for the rating; or (amended 2005/12/01; no previous version)
(iii) a letter from the foreign aviation authority attesting to the successful completion of an instrument flight test within the l2 months preceding the date of application for the rating. (amended 2005/12/01; no previous version)

(7) An applicant who holds a Second Officer Rating or a Flight Engineer License and whose instrument rating expired more than 24 months before the date of application, shall be considered to have met the INRAT examination requirement provided that: (amended 2000/09/01)
(a) the applicant works for hire or reward for a Canadian Air Carrier that operates aircraft requiring a Second Officer or a Flight Engineer; and (amended 1999/03/01)
(b) the applicant, on commencement of work as a Second Officer or Flight Engineer, held an Instrument Rating and a Commercial Pilot License - Aeroplane. (amended 1999/03/01)

(8) Under extenuating circumstances, an instrument rating shall be extended by the Minister for a period not more than 90 days following the valid date of the instrument rating provided that: (amended 2000/09/01)
(a) the application is made while the instrument rating is valid; and
(b) the applicant can show that there has been no reasonable opportunity to take a renewal flight test within the 90 days prior to the expiry of the instrument rating.

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