IFR Training in Virginia

Cities in Virginia with Aviation Schools:

Alexandria
Annandale
Arlington
Ashburn
Baileys Crossroads
Blacksburg
Burke
Cave Spring
Centreville
Chantilly
Charlottesville
Chesapeake
Dale City
Danville
Fair Oaks
Fairfax
Fredericksburg
Hamn
Hampton
Harrisonburg
Herndon
Lake Ridge
Leesburg
Lincolnia
Linton Hall
Lynchburg
Manassas
Marumsco
McLean
Mechanicsville
Newport News
Norfolk
Oakton
Petersburg
Portsmouth
Reston
Richmond
Roanoke
Salem
Short Pump
South Riding
Springfield
Staunton
Sterling
Suffolk
Tuckahoe
Tysons
Virginia Beach
Waynesboro
West Falls Church
Winchester

Instrument Rating Flight Training Virginia

The instrument rating (IFR) is something that will eventually come along if you've been flying very long. Typically, it comes up when looking at buying an aircraft or seeking a commercial pilot career, but otherwise, some pilots may take quite a while to get their instrument rating in Virginia. Though many pilots in Virginia do eventually get an instrument rating, chances are learning to fly IFR in Virginia now could greatly benefit your future flying.

An instrument rating will make you a better pilot, is required to get a commercial pilot certificate, and will generally lower your insurance rates. Flying on instruments in Virginia will make you a better pilot. When it comes to flying on instruments, precision is the keyword. There are many different things to learn for your instrument rating, but none are more difficult and rewarding as learning to fly with precision.

Once you complete your instrument rating in Virginia, you will be able to not only hit a specific altitude or descent rate but hold it. You will be more in control of your aircraft than you ever thought possible and this will surely affect your flying in general.

Perhaps you're not thinking about it right this moment, but at some point in the future, you may decide to get a commercial pilot certificate. That doesn't mean you have to run off to the airlines. There are many commercial pilots that never really get paid to fly, but it is nice to have the option.

Commercial Pilots in Virginia Need an Instrument Rating to Get a Job

Maybe your company has a nice aircraft that you'd like to spend some time in or you'd occasionally like to take on a paying passenger--whatever the case, although it's not required, you're going to want an instrument rating to go along with your commercial pilot certificate.

If you wait until then to get instrument rated, you're going to have a lot of training to do. Instead, reap the benefits of learning precise flying early and you can sail through commercial pilot training when you need it.

Do You Want to Earn Your Instrument Rating IFR in Virginia?

Insurance rates are generally cheaper for instrument-rated pilots. Perhaps the poorest-kept secret of the aviation insurance industry is that instrument-rated pilots enjoy rates that are generally cheaper. The increased training instrument-rated pilots take on and their increased skill pay off in lower insurance premiums. Depending on the type of aircraft you fly, this can be a very significant amount of money.

So, if you'd like to be a better pilot with lower insurance rates and you might get a commercial pilot certificate, you should definitely consider an instrument rating. Sure it may be difficult, but the sense of accomplishment and precision flying skill is more than worth it in the long run.

Legend has it that the instrument rating in Virginia is the most difficult to earn of all licenses, ratings, and endorsements. And if you talk to an instrument-rated pilot, he or she will probably agree. However, the instrument rating could also be the most rewarding of all to earn, and the benefits and privileges of acquiring the rating are well worth the initial effort.

Simply stated, the instrument rating allows pilots to fly under instrument flight rules (IFR) in Virginia, in instrument meteorological conditions (IMC), and in class A airspace (the airspace between 18,000 feet msl and 60,000 feet msl). IMC is loosely defined as conditions that do not meet the basic requirements of operating under visual flight rules (VFR), including ceilings less than 1000 feet above airport elevation and/or visibility less than 3 miles at the airport.

Although the instrument rating gives pilots permission to operate in less than basic VFR conditions, it's not a "license" to fly in bad weather. Prudent pilots do not launch into deadly weather just because they are instrument rated. Learn about instrument rating training.

Fixed-Wing Aircraft Facts Rudder

The rudder is the primary control surface that causes an aircraft to yaw or move about the vertical axis. This provides directional control and thus points the nose of the aircraft in the direction desired. Most aircraft have a single rudder hinged to the trailing edge of the vertical stabilizer. It is controlled by a pair of foot-operated rudder pedals in the cockpit.

Aircraft Dispatcher Practical Test Prerequisites

To be eligible to take the Aircraft Dispatcher Practical Test, an applicant must meet the following criteria, as required by 14 CFR part 65: Be at least 21 years of age; Be able to read, speak, write, and understand the English Language; Present documentary evidence of passing the required knowledge test prescribed by 14 CFR part 65.55 within the preceding 24 months and Comply with the experience or training requirements of 14CFR part 65.57.

IFR Instrument Rating Training in Virginia

Depending on your flight training goals, instrument rating training may be required, but it is a good idea regardless of your goals. There are many places to learn to fly on instruments, so what should you look for when trying to find a school? There are three basic questions that should guide you to a good choice.

What kind of aircraft are available and, after I get my instrument rating, can I rent airplanes for actual IFR flights? Most flight schools offer at least one aircraft that is certified for IFR flight. Some even have several. The question is, do they offer the kind of aircraft you need?

Are you looking for training in a new glass panel or round gauges or both? Your personal preference and goals should be considered before choosing a school. A final consideration, assuming you don't own your own aircraft, is whether the school will rent you an aircraft after you get your rating for flight into actual IMC. This is important because you will want to maintain currency and there is no substitute for actual IMC.

Will We Fly in Actual IFR During Training?

Building off of that last point, ask if you will fly actual IMC during training. There's nothing wrong with simulated instrument flight, as a matter of convenience, but it is important that you experience at least some real instrument flights. It may seem strange, but for whatever reason, some schools don't allow for training flights in actual instrument weather, which can negatively affect your training.

Will we do any night IFR flight training? Absolutely! Another thing to ask is whether you will do any flights at night. Night flying is a required element of the private pilot test standards, but it is not required for an instrument rating. This is unfortunate because as you may know, it is quite different from flying during the day.

You never know when you might need to fly on instruments at night and having the added security of a flight instructor while you learn is much preferable to learning it on your own when you get caught out after dark.

Finding the answer to these three questions should provide you with all the information you need to find a great instrument rating training program that will serve you well. A good program that offers the right aircraft, provides for currency by allowing you to fly into real IMC and offers night instrument training will provide you with a very solid foundation of instrument flying skills.

Getting an Instrument Flight Rules Rating - IFR Flying is Precise

There are two sets of rules for flying any aircraft: VFR and IFR. VFR stands for Visual Flight Rules and IFR means Instrument Flight Rules. Depending on the weather conditions a pilot may opt for one set of rules or the other.

Not long after you get your private pilot certificate, you will likely start thinking about getting an instrument rating. If you're seeking a commercial pilot career it's just the next step, but even if you're not, it should be the next step. The precision, reliability, and safety of instrument flight are a huge boon to pilots of any kind.

Ask almost any instrument-rated pilot and they'll tell you that their instrument rating was one of the most difficult things they've done. Ask them if they regret it and you're unlikely to hear anyone say, "Yes." There are a lot of things to learn, but the one that is perhaps most difficult, but most useful is the precision learning to fly instruments will impart on your flying. Getting an instrument rating will ensure that you can not only hit a specific altitude or descent rate but that you can hold it.

IFR Flying is More Reliable & IFR Flying Can Be Safer

As a result of all your hard work during your instrument rating flight training, you will be able to fly in many more kinds of weather than a regular private pilot. This may not mean much right up until it clouds upon your cross country trip and the weather isn't expected to improve for days. As a non-instrument rated pilot, you're at the mercy of the weather. As an instrument-rated pilot, chances are you can file an instrument flight plan and continue safely on your way. Providing this kind of reliability is where an instrument rating really pays off.

While the typical VFR flight isn't very risky, instrument flights are even less risky thanks to the extra sets of eyes helping you navigate through the airspace. While flight following is commonly recommended for VFR flights, air traffic control isn't obligated to provide the service. On an instrument flight, however, there are always controllers following your flight and ensuring you reach your destination safely. Should something happen, such as another aircraft popping up out of nowhere or your engine stops, the controller knows where you are and will act accordingly.

If you're seeking more precision, higher reliability, and increased safety when flying, getting an instrument rating is a great idea. If you're seeking a career in aviation, it was probably already on your to-do list, but even if you aren't it should be.

Aviation History for Alexandria and Fun Facts for Alexandria

Flight Instructor Facts for Alexandria There are flight instructor re-certification courses for airplanes and helicopters, which are typically combined. In many areas, an aerobatic flight instructor re-certification course is also required and commonly requires actual flying as well as classroom periods.

Modern Day Military Pilot Training for Alexandria

The Rotary Wing training at Rucker began in the Department of Rotary Wing Training. The first four weeks in the Basic Instrument Division at Shell AAF (originally designed as a Fixed Wing Field). The student went from there to the Advanced Instrument Training Division at Hanchey AHP. At Hanchey we used the TH-13T helicopters instrument trainer, and later, the Huey (UH-1).

Aviation Training History and Facts for Annandale

Helicopter Training Facts: In helicopter pilot training, there are a series of high stress scenarios that students must work through. The ability to make good decisions under pressure, commitment to the safety of others, dedication, and emotional strength are all requirements of the job.

New Pilot Flight Training in Annandale:

You have to do a night cross-country with your instructor. You might as well make it to an airport that is 50 nautical miles away and make sure to stay up in the air for a total of two hours. That way, you'll be all set for your Commercial aeronautical experience (FAR 61.129(c)).

Aviation History for Arlington and Fun Facts for Arlington

Whirly-Girls History: Jean Ross Howard Phelan, Whirly-Girl #13, founded Whirly-Girls in 1955. In hopes of developing an organization where female pilots could share information and camaraderie, she was one of 13 charter members representing women helicopter pilots from France, Germany and the United States. As of 2011, there are over 1700 registered members representing 44 countries. Whirly-Girls is an official affiliate member of the Helicopter Association International.

Aviation Factoids and Figures and Fun for Arlington

How Long Does it Take to Become a Helicopter Pilot: Keep in mind that you will be required to build up to 1,000 flying hours as well. Once you start instructing it will likely take you 12 - 18 months to build up to 1,000 hours.

Aviation Training History and Facts for Blacksburg

Helicopter Jobs: An advantage to flying for the military is the chance to earn free and advanced training. These jobs can, of course, be dangerous, especially when flying near combat zones. Helicopter pilot jobs with law enforcement agencies typically require pilots to also be fully-trained police officers.

Fun Helicopter and Airplane Facts for Blacksburg

Helicopter Jobs: Is it your dream to fly an expensive jet-powered helicopter without paying for the hours? Thank your neighbors for driving SUVs. Every year the oil industry goes farther offshore to get oil. The only way to get to an offshore platform is by helicopter and thus every year there are more jobs for helicopter pilots.

Aviation History for Burke and Fun Facts for Burke

Helicopter Training Facts: Most pilots develop a physical fitness regime during training to help them build the muscle strength required for this role. Maintaining a high degree of personal fitness also reduces the residual physical stress and strain of maintaining a fixed position.

Fun Helicopter and Airplane Facts for Burke

Truly superior pilots are those who use their superior judgment to avoid those situations where they might have to use their superior skills. From: Slipping the Surly Bonds

The most important parts of a hover auto are stopping the yaw (pedal) and stopping the drift (cyclic). If a helicopter falls from 2' and the collective isn't touched, there shouldn't be any damage to the aircraft as long as the skids don't have to absorb a big yawing or drifting moment. Remember that the blades still have some pitch on them and are providing some lift.

Aviation Training History and Facts for Centreville

Interesting Aviation Facts for Centreville for Centreville

Don't go anywhere at night that you haven't been to a lot of times during the daytime. The only exception to this rule would be when flying from airport to airport, in which case you should stay 2000' AGL until you have visually identified the destination airport. Establish high personal weather minimums for night flying, even with an instructor. I do not like to leave the airport traffic pattern unless the visibility is at least 10 miles.

Aviation Training History and Facts for Chantilly

Helicopter Training Facts: With enough hours and experience, you can look for jobs with charter companies, tourism and sightseeing organizations and other places that use helicopters in their operations. Some employers might also expect their pilots to have some level of college education.

With Helicopters in Chantilly Safety is Everything:

People fly helicopters into friends' backyards, onto highways on rainy nights after car accidents, onto rooftop helipads, and with air conditioners hanging underneath. Helicopters are unstable and very few are equipped with autopilots. You'd expect helicopters to be vastly more dangerous than airplanes. They are and they aren't. Big jet-powered helicopters are safer than small airplanes, but not by the huge factor that big jet-powered airplanes are safer. The jet-powered helicopters suffer 4 accidents per 100,000 hours, 1 of which will be fatal. Piston-powered helicopters, which these days means Robinson suffer 13-20 accidents per year with roughly 2 of those accidents being fatal.

Aviation Training History and Facts for Charlottesville

Heliports: Rural heliports often house helicopters used to spray agricultural fields where a standard crop-dusting airplane may not be able to operate. County sheriff's police as well as search and rescue crews may also base helicopters out of one of these locations.

Instrument Ratings for Airplane Pilots for Charlottesville:

If you get an Instrument Airplane rating, chances are that you will use it regularly; most airplanes are certified for IMC and any time that one takes a trip in an airplane, it seems as though the instrument rating ends up being required. By the time you want to get your CFII-A, the only challenge will be flying those instruments from the other seat.

Aviation History for Chesapeake and Fun Facts for Chesapeake

The Commercial Pilot's License (CPL(H)) This is the standard professional license, and the one a pilot will hold after successful completion of a recognized training course under either the JAA modular or integrated systems.

Aviation Factoids and Figures and Fun for Chesapeake

Becoming a Certified Flight Instructor: Flight instructors typically have about 200 hours of in air flight time before they can become eligible as an instructor. For some helicopter models the FAA enforces a strict 200 hour minimum in order to be an instructor.

Aviation History for Dale City and Fun Facts for Dale City

Flight Instructor Facts for Dale City Often, an established and licensed helicopter pilot will decide to become an instructor. The additional training to become an instructor is given by a certified helicopter flight instructor.

Interesting Aviation Facts for Dale City for Dale City

There is little value in teaching students to raise the collective at the bottom of a hover auto. Concentrate on the pedal and cyclic work, which do not come naturally for most pilots. Nobody who is in a helicopter that is falling toward the ground needs a CFI to tell them to pull up on the collective. Remember that pavement is not as forgiving of small problems with hover autos compared to grass, but big yaw or drift when hitting grass is more likely to result in a dynamic rollover than the same sloppiness on pavement.

Aviation Training History and Facts for Danville

Heliports: Many heliports also play host to a number of flight schools and repair colleges. Those wishing to learn to fly a helicopter or to repair one can take courses at these schools.

Instrument Ratings for New Helicopter Pilots in Danville

A lot of commercial helicopter jobs require instrument ratings, even some where the helicopters that you will be flying are not certified for instrument meteorological conditions (IMC). When is a good time to get instrument-certified? My personal theory is that you should get your instrument rating right after you finish the CFI-H and then take instrument rating and CFII-H checkrides back to back.

Aviation History for Hampton and Fun Facts for Hampton

Helicopter Training Facts: The pass rate on many helicopter pilot examinations is between 75 percent and 80 percent, due to the level of responsibility and risk associated with this career. As a result, there is a significant amount of repetition involved in the training program.

Modern Day Military Pilot Training for Hampton:

Initially, the training objective was to provide enough instrument experience to get out of trouble in case a pilot encountered what we called inadvertent IFR. We called that qualification a “Tactical Instrument Card”. As soon as we could however we extended training to provide a full-up Instrument qualification and issued a Standard Instrument Card.

Aviation Training History and Facts for Harrisonburg

Helicopter Pilot Jobs for Harrisonburg Specialized training, based on the kind of aircraft the pilot flies, is another requirement. Helicopter pilots are also required to have and maintain excellent physical and mental health.

Fun Helicopter and Airplane Facts for Harrisonburg

Any landing you can walk away from is a good one. Gerald Massie (photographer and plane crash surviver).

With Helicopters in Harrisonburg Safety is Everything: The good news about helicopter safety is that it is largely under your control as the pilot. If you want to cruise along for 25 miles skimming the ground 100' above obstacles and then land in your friend's backyard, which is surrounded by powerlines and trees, you are asking for trouble.

Aviation History for Lynchburg and Fun Facts for Lynchburg

The Airline Transport Pilot's License (ATPL(H)) This is the senior license to which many professional pilots will aspire, and requires 1000 hours total flight experience of which 250 hours must be as a pilot in command. Additionally, for an ATPL(H) to be issued the candidate must possess a valid Instrument Rating (IR) and have completed at least 70 hours of instrument flight time together with 350 hours of multi crew and multi engined helicopter experience! Integrated Training

New Helicopter Training Lessons:

For 180-degree autorotations, the typical problem is that the student lets the nose drop in the right turn. Now the airspeed builds up and the descent rate correspondingly increases, which increase the rotor RPM. A low-time instructor is going to have his hands full recovering an R22 from this mournful situation. Best to start at 3000' again. Have the student enter straight-ahead and establish a 65-knot 100 percent RPM autorotation, with a slightly raised collective to hold the RPMs at 100 percent

Fun Helicopter and Airplane Facts for Manassas

Helicopter Jobs: Some helicopter pilots land high-flying careers by working with television programs or motion picture production companies. Others spend most of their work day with their feet on the ground by working as flight instructors.

Fun Helicopter and Airplane Facts for Manassas

If you're quasi-rich the best helicopter is a fuel-injected Robinson R44 Raven II with air conditioning. If you're poor you probably don't want a kit helicopter. What you want is a 4- or 5-way partnership in a Robinson R22. A small helicopter isn't like an airplane. You usually take it out only for an hour or two on a local trip which makes it very easy to share and scheduling conflicts among partners are unlikely. Splitting insurance and hangar costs 4 or 5 ways brings down the total cost of ownership and flying to perhaps $10000 per year.

Aviation Training History and Facts for McLean

Helicopter Jobs: Helicopter pilots must successfully complete a flight training program and log a certain number of hours flying before beginning any job.

Helicopter Jobs: helicopter pilot jobs may entail lifting heavy equipment to work sites. For example, pilots that work with off-shore oil rigs are used to transport workers and equipment. These workers may be required to stay on-site for several days so they are readily available for transporting.

Advice in Buying Helicopters for McLean:

If you don't want to buy a mechanic to go with your helicopter and constantly stuff grease into various joints, your only option in the land of the certified is Robinson. I own an R22 and an R44. The R44 was 50 percent more expensive, but it is 200 percent more useful. The R22 feels cramped even when you're by yourself and, against a headwind, you watch cars on the Interstate passing you.

Aviation History for Newport News and Fun Facts for Newport News

Post World War Military Pilot Training for Newport News:

In July 1958, all Air Force helicopter pilot training moved to Stead. A total of 255 officers and airmen transferred. The students received 40 hours transition and instrument training and 30 hours operational tactics in the H-19 and 35 hours transition in the H-21.

Aviation Factoids and Figures and Fun for Norfolk

Important Safety Issues to consider when choosing a helicopter school: Even with the meticulous inspections and maintenance that helicopters regularly undergo, they are still subject to mechanical problems. You have to keep in mind that the people who fly the helicopters are still learning and more subject to making mistakes which can easily result in an accident.

Aviation Training History and Facts for Norfolk

A pilot who doesn't have any fear probably isn't flying his plane to its maximum. - by Jon McBride astronaut

Vietnam Era Military Pilot Training: Back to the Army - 1970. This was the end of what we had known as the USAF Helicopter School where we took the students from beginning to end. In October 1970, Air Force student helicopter pilots began to receive training from Army and Civil Service instructor pilots at Fort Wolters, Texas. After graduation from the Army training qualified as first pilots in the UH-1, they would proceed to Sheppard AFB for Phase III combat crew training in UH-1F and CH-3C helicopters.

Aviation History for Portsmouth and Fun Facts for Portsmouth

How to fund helicopter school: Most schools have staff to help you obtain the necessary financing to cover your schooling. The school should be willing and able to assist you through the entire process which is very similar to other arenas of academic funding.

Helicopter Pilot Training Tidbits for Portsmouth

The autorotation consists of four parts: entry, glide, flare, collective pull to a touch-down or power recovery. The typical flight school introduces all four parts simultaneously. You learn autorotations by going up to 500' or 700' AGL, entering, gliding, flaring, and power recovering. It all happens way too fast for most students and doing the flare and power recovery near the ground is frightening at first.

Aviation History for Reston and Fun Facts for Reston

Fun Helicopter and Airplane Facts for Reston

Start out with the helicopter just 6\ to 1' off the ground. Ignore the collective. Work on using the pedals and cyclic so that the helicopter is neither yawing nor drifting when it hits the pavement. When you've mastered these controls start doing hover autos from higher up and add some collective input towards the bottom.

Aviation History for Richmond and Fun Facts for Richmond

Aviation Factoids and Figures and Fun for Richmond

How Long Does it Take To Become a Helicopter Pilot: That all depends on how frequently you fly the helicopter. If you are pursuing your licensing on a full-time basis it may only take you 6 - 8 months to earn your license. Compared to many training and educational programs this is a drop in the bucket!

Aviation History for Roanoke and Fun Facts for Roanoke

Helicopter Pilot Training Tidbits for Roanoke

I like to take a student up to 3000' AGL and have him or her glide down to 500' AGL before adding power and climbing back up to 3000' again. In other words, the student practices the entry and glide repeatedly without being close to the ground and without worrying about the flare or power recovery. After perfecting these parts of an autorotation, the student comes back for another lesson and starts doing flares and power recoveries.

Aviation History for Suffolk and Fun Facts for Suffolk

New Helicopter Pilot Training Facts:

When the engine quits during a hover, the pilot needs to make three control inputs. The right pedal is pressed forward to reduce tail rotor thrust. Now that the engine isn't running, you don't need all of that anti-torque. The cyclic is pressed slightly right to return it to a neutral position. An American helicopter has a tendency to drift right in a hover, which means that a pilot has to hold a slight left cyclic input to keep the helicopter stationary. (The cause of the drift is tail rotor thrust.) When the engine power is removed, leaving this input in will result in a left drift. Thus the need to pull the cyclic slightly right. The final required input is an upward pull of the collective, starting at about 1' from the ground. This cushions the impact.

Aviation Training History and Facts for Tuckahoe

Helicopter Training Facts: Commercial uses for helicopters include flying passengers on sightseeing trips, assisting in search-and-rescue operations and patrolling oil pipelines, to name just a few examples. If you want to become a commercial helicopter pilot, first you typically must earn your private pilot's license, then fly additional hours to become a commercial helicopter pilot.

Instrument Ratings for Helicopter Pilots for Tuckahoe:

Helicopters, by contrast, are seldom equipped and almost never certified for IMC. If you get your instrument rating at 120 hours, for example, and then try to get the CFII at 250 hours, you'll probably find that your instrument proficiency has deteriorated dramatically. If, on the other hand, you get your helicopter instrument rating at 249 hours and your CFII-H at 250 hours, you only need to get sharp once.

Aviation History for Virginia Beach and Fun Facts for Virginia Beach

Should You Choose a Part 141 or Part 61 School: Do some research and you will find that some schools operate under certification requirements for both Part 141 and Part 61 which can open up more future opportunity for you. Check with each of the helicopter training schools you are considering and find out under which requirements they operate under.

Aviation Training History and Facts for Virginia Beach

Entry-level helicopter pilots can earn anything between USD 25,000 to USD 35,000 per year if you become a flight instructor. If you are a pilot in the police department or in the law enforcement agency, then you may draw anything between USD 40,000 to USD 50,000 per year. This can grow very fast after you complete your training and probation period in your company.