Breaking down FAA requirements for instrument rating
Checking off the FAA requirements for instrument rating is usually the moment a pilot stops feeling like a hobbyist and starts feeling like a professional. There's something about being able to fly through a cloud without panicking that just changes your perspective on aviation. If you've already got your private pilot certificate, you know the drill: more studying, more flying, and more time spent staring at a Garmin or a set of "six-pack" gauges. But the instrument rating (IR) is a different beast entirely. It's less about the "seat of the pants" feel and more about trusting what the needles are telling you, even when your inner ear is screaming that you're upside down. ...