An Instrumental Choice
Exactly what is an instrument rating and what does it enable a pilot to do? It allows a pilot to fly under the instrument flight rules (IFR). The instrument flight rules permit the pilot to operate an aircraft safely in instrument meteorological conditions (IMC), which are essentially any weather conditions less than visual meteorological conditions (VMC).
In a nutshell, an instrument rating allows a pilot to fly by reference to instruments – that is to orient the aircraft attitude, control its speed and altitude; and navigate without reference to land or water.
In Australia, there are two different instrument ratings: an Instrument Rating (IR, formally known as the Command Instrument Rating – CIR) and a Private Instrument Rating (PIR) previously known as the PIFR, a name which has stuck despite a change in regulations.
Holding an instrument rating doesn’t mean you can fly in all weather conditions. All aircraft have their limitations. It’s not a cloak of infallibility, and an IR comes with responsibilities, currency requirements and restrictions.
VFR vs IFR
To put instrument flight rules into context, a brief overview of visual flight rules (VFR) is necessary. An aircraft under the VFR is flown solely by reference to outside visual cues, such as the horizon to maintain orientation, terrain features for navigation, and other aircraft to maintain separation. However, it is safe to fly VFR only when these outside references can be clearly seen from a sufficient distance; when flying through or
