FAA Instrument Flight Instructor (FII)Instrument RegulationsEasy
An applicant for an airplane instrument rating has logged 25 hours of simulated instrument time with an authorized instructor and 10 hours of actual instrument time as PIC. Per 14 CFR 61.65, how many additional hours of actual or simulated instrument time must the applicant log, at minimum, to meet the total requirement?
- A10 hours
- B0 hours, the requirement is already met
- C5 hours
- D15 hours
Show answer & explanationAnswer & explanation
Correct answer: C. 5 hours
14 CFR 61.65 requires a total of 40 hours of actual or simulated instrument time. The applicant has logged 25 + 10 = 35 hours, so 40 − 35 = 5 additional hours are needed.
Why the other options are wrong
- A. Overstates the shortfall; only 5 hours remain.
- B. Incorrect, since only 35 of the required 40 hours have been logged.
- D. Confuses total requirement with the 15-hour instructor-given instrument training minimum.
Instrument Rating Aeronautical Experience
14 CFR 61.65 requires 40 hours of actual or simulated instrument time, of which at least 15 hours must be instrument flight training from an authorized instructor.
- 40 total hours actual/simulated instrument time required
- At least 15 hours must be instructor-given instrument training
- 50 hours of cross-country PIC time also required (10 in an airplane for airplane rating)
Memory trick: '40 to fly blind, 15 with a guide.'