Why Everyone Should Earn An Instrument Rating

Earning your instrument rating is one of the best decisions you’ll ever make as a pilot. It’s more than just flying in the clouds—it’s about precision, safety, and mastering skills that will make you a more confident, real-world pilot in any conditions. In this video, Jason shares his compelling reasons why every pilot should consider earning their instrument rating and how it can take your flying to the next level.

Loving our videos and want to see more?
Do you have a passion for aviation and learning to fly?
Find out by taking a 2 WEEK FREE TRIAL of our online ground school

[jasonbaker]

My PPL instructor was amazing. I needed hood time, but since it was IMC that day, instead of cancelling my lesson, he took me up in the clouds. It was the most I ever learned about myself in an aircraft. Every pilot needs real IMC time. It’s both humbling and empowering.

[mavrick]

Jason, been watching your videos since we were "kids, " and you were flying that little C-152. Your videos never miss. Thanks for all the years of great content! A good pilot is always learning!

[jonmitchell]

About the half way point in my IFR training. Flew in the clouds for the first time a couple weeks ago. Such an awesome experience. I believe extensive training and actual experience make a difference.

[dr.aviator]

Love you Jason! Watching your videos helped me from my Private, Instrument, Commercial, Commercial-Multi, and now my CFII. You’re a natural and you love to teach and we see it! Thanks again for all that you do sir!

[teamvigod]

I'm not a full scale pilot. I only fly RC aircraft. Crashes only cost money and not lives. But I've always had it on my bucket list to fly full scale. I spent literally 100's of hours going through youtube videos, flight reports and other flight training just as a warmup. I never even had a discovery flight. BUT the one thing with all my deep dive research I came to the conclusion was that if I was going to get my PPL I would also get my instrument rating. By large all the accidents and deaths always seemed to come from VFR pilots flying into IMC based on everything I ever read and watched. Flying without instrument rating to me felt like a fools game. I feel like I would be on borrowed time. So if I do get my PPL it will be immediately followed by IFR rating.

[rn]

I earned mine about three years ago, so glad I got it. Definitely makes life easier.

[JimBridgmon]

I totally agree with this way of thinking. I used to tell everyone, that, think of it as the other half of the information we didn't give you when we did your Private.

[joed]

Great video with great animation to keep it real with these pilots. I'm currently working on my instrument now and have been in the soup a few times. It is certainly nothing like being under the hood. I'm learning a whole lot and it's making me an even better pilot than I already was.

[josephcarr]

Outstanding information, as an ATP(H) and a CPL/AMEL/INST this is my take on this. When I fly IFR I have plan. But going IIMC there is no plan, so your behind the aircraft playing catch up. Be smart, fly within your capabilities and skill level. Practice IIMC procedures.

[demetriousgains]

WOW, this was very sobering 😮. Great video. Thank you sir..👍🏾

[ronandersen]

Jason, 50 hours into IFR training, hardest thing I’ve had to do, pressing on til my checkride.. love the video

[wayneethier]

Great point Jason. I wish instrument training was better integrated into the private curriculum. Maybe that just depends on the school? When I started, I knew I would not get a private certificate without going on to get instrument rated. I know there’s more cloudy days than sunny here in Boston - seems foolish not to be rated to fly in them.

[milesj]

I don't have my instrument rating, but I remember when I was younger I went flying with one of the guys at work who did and we were flying along where we were going in and out of the tops of the clouds, the first time we went into the clouds, I could have sworn we were banking, even though the instruments said we were straight and level, we popped out of the clouds and sure enough we were straight and level. That was so freaky, and I learned then to trust the instruments and not my inner ear.

[bk]

I'm up against the check ride also and still wondering if I have everything ready?!, yikes, its a lot of info!!, but man do I feel a lot more comfortable to fly in less visible conditions after the training !! wish me the best chance of passing on the check ride!

[DannyCherry-qj]

I have my instrument rating for 10 years. My first time in the soup with my instructor convinced me that I would have died. Now I’m comfortable in clouds.

[venutoa]

Thanks Jason. Great advice. I will be doing mine

[williamson]

Great video! having instrument experience was critical to me. A few years ago I was heading VFR to Block Island off the coast of New England, 3 miles visibility, lost my horizon. But instantly referenced my attitude indicator and had no problem getting in. A non-event but wouldn't have been that way if I hadn't spent 10-20 hours in a simulator.

[machelleandned]

Thank you so much for this video. I’ve been on the fence about getting an IFR rating because I am currently 60 years of age. I kept wondering if the investment would pay off for the number of years I would use it.

From a safety standpoint, I don’t know why I am waiting.

Thank Jason. I will look at your groundschool.

[darthheretic]

I’m rated. Thanks for helping me along my journey Jason. I hope to be as good of a CFII as you some day. Cheers!

[paulg.]

This is similar to 56 seconds to live for helicopter 🚁 pilots. VFR into IMC IS Deadly.