Instrument Rating Quick Reference Handbook

You must hold at least a Private Pilot Licence (PPL) and a valid medical (Category 1 or 3 depending on licence path). Groundschool itself is recommended but not strictly mandated by Transport Canada; however, passing the INRAT written is required before the flight test.

INRAT tests instrument procedures, air law, meteorology, navigation, flight instruments, and human factors. Use an INRAT‑specific prep course or approved groundschool that includes practice exams and chart work. Practice timed question sets and approach plate interpretation are essential.

Transport Canada experience minima vary by group, but typical training programs require about 40 hours of instrument time, with up to 20 hours allowed in an approved simulator/FSTD; cross‑country and PIC time requirements also apply. Confirm exact minima for your rating group.

Core ground topics: instrument procedures (approaches, holds, departures), IFR navigation (VOR, RNAV), meteorology for IMC, human factors, and flight planning/ATC procedures. Chart interpretation and approach briefings get heavy emphasis.

You must pass INRAT first; then the Transport Canada flight test evaluates instrument flying, approaches, holds, flight management, and decision‑making. Schools often run a mock flight test and an IPC (Instrument Proficiency Check) before the official test.

Maintain currency through regular instrument approaches, simulator sessions, or an IPC as required. Plan recurrent practice—IFR skills degrade without regular use. Check Transport Canada guidance for validity and recency rules for your rating group.