Portland Community College | Portland, Oregon

This course covers the ground in Phase 2, stages 6 through 8, and the flight in Phase 2 stages 4 and 5 of Training Course Outline. Also includes commercial stage 7 lessons 65-68, which includes some aircraft and some FTD time. The following hours of are required to meet the outcomes for this course, and will be provided by PCC's contracted flight training provider under PCC supervision.  Outcomes will be assessed by written, oral and practical (flight) tests. Flight training fees for this class are based on these hours. If the outcomes for this course are met in fewer hours then listed here, unused flight training fees will be returned to the student or funding provider, as appropriate.

For all students regardless of weight:

The checkride/written test estimate includes funding for one FAA knowledge test ($165), a designated examiner fee ($600), and two hours of aircraft rental at the C172 solo rate.

Upon successful completion students should be able to:

• Qualify to take the FAA knowledge and practical tests for the Airplane Instrument rating;
• Take responsibility as Pilot In Command to competently conduct the planning, preflight action, weather analysis and other procedures necessary to safely conduct flights under Instrument Flight Rules.
• Exercise the flying skills necessary to conduct safe flights solely by reference to instruments.

Evaluation methods will include written, oral, and practical testing. Evaluation levels will meet or exceed those defined by FAA-S-8081-4E  (or subsequent edition) Instrument Rating Practical Test Standards, and required under 14 CFR 141,  FAA Approved Training Course.

(1) Applicable Federal Aviation Regulations for IFR flight operations;

(2) Appropriate information in the “Aeronautical Information Manual”;

(3) Air traffic control system and procedures for instrument flight operations;

(4) IFR navigation and approaches by use of navigation systems;

(5) Use of IFR en route and instrument approach procedure charts;

(6) Procurement and use of aviation weather reports and forecasts, and the elements of forecasting weather trends on the basis of that information and personal observation of weather conditions;

(7) Safe and efficient operation of aircraft under instrument flight rules and conditions;

(8) Recognition of critical weather situations and windshear avoidance;

(9) Aeronautical decision making and judgment; and

(10) Crew resource management, to include crew communication and coordination. 

(1) Preflight preparation;

(2) Preflight procedures;

(3) Air traffic control clearances and procedures;

(4) Flight by reference to instruments;

(5) Navigation systems;

(6) Instrument approach procedures;

(7) Emergency operations; and

(8) Postflight procedures.