UK IMC RATING GENERAL INFORMATION
Above the clouds in Cornwall
The IMC Rating is a national rating that allows you to legally fly in weather conditions that are below VFR minimums. When you are training for the issue of a UK Instrument Meteorological Conditions (IMC) you must follow a syllabus recognised by the Civil Aviation Authority and Instruction on the course may only be given by instructors with ratings unrestricted with regard to instrument flying restrictions. Your flight training, exam and final flight test can NOW all be taken at North Weald.
Click here for full CAA information on the IMC syllabus
The IMC course is a natural step forward for those who have qualified for their Private Pilots Licence. It permits pilots to fly safely in poor weather conditions. Flying in IMC conditions can be challenging, rewarding and fun but only if you know what you are doing. I follow the UK training syllabus, am a registered flight training provider and an experienced IMC instructor so rest assured that you are in safe hands.
Before applying for your IMC rating you must have flown a minimum of 25 hours after you have obtained your PPL, of which 10 hours must be PIC, to include 5 hours solo navigation and 15 hours dual instruction of which 10 hours are by sole reference to instruments during the course.
The course requires a minimum of 15 hours with an instructor followed by a flight test, lasting approximately an hour and a quarter. The course commences with training in general handling of the aircraft with sole reference to the instruments by use of screens covering the windows or special goggles. The student will be taught to recover from unusual attitudes, to straight and level flight using the full panel of instruments, before progressing to recovery with limited panel. Tracking to and from VOR and NDB facilities, develops the skills needed to carry out procedural approaches, which will include holding, together with NDB and ILS (Instrument Landing System) approaches allowing you to fly down to 500 feet above the airfield to clear cloud, with a minimum of 1800 meters in-flight visibility.
There is one ground exam to take for the course which is multiple choice. This tests your knowledge about the theory of radio aids and your ability to apply them practically, and it also includes flight planning on IFR.
FLYING EXPERIENCE REQUIREMENTS
When applying for an IMC Rating you must produce logbook evidence of having met the following flying requirements:-
a. 25 hours total experience as pilot of aeroplanes
following PPL issue and which must include (b),(c), (d) & (e) below;
b. 10 hours as Pilot in Command of aeroplanes to include (c) below.
c. 5 hours as Pilot in Command of aeroplanes on cross-country flights.
d. 15 hours as Pilot under Training in instrument flying with an instructor in a dual controlled
aeroplane (during IMC course). Up to 2 hours in a device qualified BITD, FNPT 1, FNPT 2 or in other STDs recognised by the Authority.
e. 10 hours total flight time by sole reference to instruments (during IMC course).
These minimum course requirements assume that the applicant has completed the 4 hours of dual instruction in instrument flying previously required for the issue of a UK PPL(A). An applicant who has not had these 4 hours training, must satisfy the training provider that he has reached an equivalent standard of ability before starting the course.
There is also a short multi choice written exam which can be taken at North Weald when you are ready