Flight instructor pointing at the multifunction display while a student flies a glass-cockpit airplane

Traditional IFR: Train on your schedule.

Weekly lessons keep your skills sharp and your progress on track. Earn your instrument rating around work and life.

  • Self-paced
  • 1–3 lessons a week
  • Scheduled checkride
Get my training plan See a typical lesson

Is traditional instrument training the right path for you?

A great fit if you…

  • Have a busy schedule Work, family or school come first. Training fits around them.
  • Like time to absorb Study and chair-fly between lessons at your own pace.
  • Are still studying for the written Prep online alongside your lessons and pass it before your checkride.
  • Are still building cross-country time Log cross-country PIC hours alongside your lessons.
  • Are still learning your airplane Get to know its avionics and systems while you build instrument skills.
  • Prefer shorter lessons Half-day training sessions that fit easily into your week.

Ready to clear your calendar instead?

See Accelerated IFR

Pick a flight training pace that fits your life.

The more often you fly, the sooner you’re instrument rated. Here’s how long training typically takes at each pace.

1× per week Steady pace
About 6 months
2× per week Balanced pace
About 3–4 months
3× per week Fastest pace
About 2 months

Approximate months from your first lesson to your checkride, based on about 60 hours of training. Weather and scheduling can shift your timeline.

A typical instrument lesson

Each lesson follows a similar rhythm, so you always know what to expect and nothing slips between weeks.

Before you fly

Preflight brief

Weather, the plan for today and a short ground topic. About 30 to 60 minutes.

In the air

Flight or simulator

Fly the maneuvers and procedures for this stage. About 1.5 to 2 hours.

After landing

Debrief

What went well, what to tighten up and what goes in your logbook.

Before next time

Homework

A short study plan and assignment so your next lesson starts strong.

FAA test prep app on an iPad

Pass the instrument written while you train.

Turn spare minutes into a passed written. Our IFR test prep works alongside your lessons, so the knowledge test is done well before your checkride.

  • Study by chapter FAA-style questions with awesome explanations.
  • Real practice tests Timed and graded, with results you can save and review.
  • Endorsement provided Get endorsed for the written, backed by our pass guarantee.
Start free 7-day trial See IFR test prep
“Training fit around my work and family, and I gained real confidence flying my SR22 in the clouds. I earned my instrument rating, and I’m still close friends with my instructor today.”
Kyle Cowand · Cirrus SR22 Owner

Common questions

No. Study with our online IFR test prep alongside your lessons and pass it before your checkride.

Either way works. Train in your own IFR-equipped airplane, or we’ll arrange a rental aircraft for you.

Absolutely. Sim time sharpens procedures and can count toward your required instrument time.

Definitely, when conditions allow. Flying in actual clouds with your CFII builds real‑world confidence.

Yes. Night flights sharpen your instrument scan and fit easily around a daytime schedule.

Yes. We’ll book your checkride with a DPE so it’s set for the end of your training.

Free training consultation

Ready to plan your training schedule?

Tell us a little about you and a real flight instructor will reach out to build a lesson plan around your calendar.

  • Free, no-obligation consultation
  • Matched with a CFII who fits your schedule
  • A lesson plan built just for you
Traditional training plan

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