INSTRUMENT RATING (H) FAA

The FAA Rotorcraft Helicopter Instrument Rating permits an individual to fly a properly certified helicopter in instrument meteorological conditions (IMC) under instrument flight rules (IFR).  This type of flying involves flying the helicopter with visual reference only to the instruments inside the cockpit.  Even if one does not foresee a future of utilizing this privilege, it will make a better pilot and may provide the skills needed to survive flying into inadvertent IMC.  These days it is also highly desirable if not required for many employers in the US industry even if they are not involved in IFR operations.

On completion of the course an Instrument Rating (H) holder will have:

-Logged a minimum of 50 hours of cross-country flight time as pilot in command, of which 10 hours must have been in a helicopter
40 hours of actual or simulated instrument time in the areas of operation listed under paragraph (c) of this section, of which 15 hours must have been with an authorized instructor who holds an instrument-helicopter rating, and the instrument time includes:Instrument flight training on cross country flight procedures, including one cross country flight in a helicopter with an authorized instructor that is performed under instrument flight rules and a flight plan has been filed with an air traffic control facility, and involves—

-A flight of 100 nautical miles along airways or by directed routing from an air traffic control facility
-An instrument approach at each airport
-Three different kinds of approaches with the use of navigation systems
-Received and logged ground training from an authorized instructor or accomplished a home-study course on the aeronautical knowledge areas that apply to the instrument rating sought
-Pass the required knowledge test on the instrument rating aeronautical knowledge areas (min 70% score)
-Pass the required practical test with a Designated Pilot Examiner (DPE)

Training:

Knowledge training will be conducted by an FAA authorized instructor or through an appropriate home study course with review by instructor
Flight Training will be conducted using a view limiting device to log instrument time under simulated instrument flight conditions in the Guimbal Cabri G2, based at our Tampa, Florida, USA base by an FAA authorized instructor.
A FlyIt Simulator is available, approved by the FAA as an Advanced Aviation Training Device (AATD).  This AATD often recommended to supplement in-inflight instrument training.  This allows a pilot to credit up to 20 hours of time obtained in this device toward the instrument time requirements.

Pre-Course Requirements:

Hold at least a current private pilot certificate, or be concurrently applying for a private pilot certificate
Be able to read, speak, write, and understand the English language