Portland Community College | Portland, Oregon

The instrument ground school course is designed to teach the student the aeronautical knowledge areas necessary for obtaining an endorsement to take the FAA Instrument Rating Airplane or Helicopter knowledge test. Lectures, discussions, videos, handouts, and written tests will provide the student the information needed to accomplish this. Class participants will be expected to invest time outside of class to master the course content. 

Upon completion of the course students should be able to:

• Qualify to take the FAA Instrument Rating Airplane or Helicopter written knowledge test. 
• Plan and explain the execution of a flight in instrument meteorological conditions. 

At the beginning of the course, the instructor will explain the methods used to evaluate and record student progress, and the criteria for assigning a course grade.  Evaluation methods may include one or more of the following: Tests and quizzes, attendance, and participation, class assignments, class projects.

FAR 61.65 (b) and FAR 141 appendix C (3) (b) subject areas required to complete the course are as follows:

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 wind shear avoidance;
9. Aeronautical decision making and judgment; and
10. Crew resource management, to include crew communication and coordination.