The Instrument Rating is a must have for the majority of professional helicopter pilots. It allows the holder to fly in instrument meteorological conditions, or adverse weather for short.

Without the instrument rating a pilot is limited to flying under visual flight rules only. This means that oil rig operators would only be able to transport their crew in good weather conditions, which as we know with the North Sea is not a common occurence. Therefore most helicopter operators require their pilots to hold an instrument rating as well as their CPL.

Pilots may undetake their instrument rating at a JAA approved Flight Training Organisation (FTO).

To qualify for the IR(H) course applicants must have achieved the following:

• A PPL(H) with a Night Rating
• Or a CPL(H)
• Hold a type rating for helicopter to be used for training
• Hold a Flight Radio Telephony Licence
• Hold a Class One Medical Certificate
• 50 hours of cross country flying time as Pilot In Command, these hours may be in aeroplanes although a minimum of 10 hours must be in a helicopter

IR(H) training is intense and combines ground tuition, air tuition as well as theoretical examinations.

Training requirements differ slightly between a single and multi-engine helicopter, single engine requirements are as follows:

1. A total of 50 hours of instructed instrument flying time
2. Up to a maximum of 20 hours may be in either an approved FNPT I (simulator) or in an approved aeroplane.
3. A maximum of 35 hours may be ground tuition in an approved helicopter FNPT II/III of FS (simulators)
4. A minimum of 10 hours of instructed instrument flying time in an approved IFR helicopter

Multi-engine requirements are similar except for a required total of 55 hours instructed flying time and this may include a maximum of 40 hours (instead of 35) in an approved helicopter FNPT II/III of FS.

One may convert from a single engine IR(H) to a multi engine IR(H) by completing 5 hours of instructed flying time of which 3 may be in an approved helicopter FNPT II/III of FS. This is then followed by a multi engine skills test.

The applicant must also complete a course of seven theoretical examinations within 18 months:

1. Air Law and Operational Procedures
2. Aircraft General Knowledge
3. Flight Performance and Planning
4. Human Performance and Limitations
5. Meteorology
6. Navigation
7. IFR Communications

Provided all the hour and theoretical requirements have been met then the last hurdle presenting the applicant is the skills test.

The skills test requires the applicant to demonstrate a number of manoeuvres to an approved CAA Examiner.

The applicant must pass all of the sections of the skills test in order to be successful. A failure of any section requires the applicant to resit the whole test.

Some parts of the test may be performed in an approved flight simulator. This is mainly due to safety reasons when testing extreme events and manoeuvres, e.g. steep turns and emergency procedures.

All parts of the skills test must be successfully completed within 6 months.

The instrument rating (h) is valid for 12 months from the date of issue/revalidation.

Taking into consideration the training hours required a best estimate for an instrument rating would be in the region of £13-15,000, but this can vary depending on the training helicopter and school.

Private Pilots Licence Helicopter PPL(H)

Commercial Pilots Licence Helicopter CPL(H)

Helicopter Night Rating NR(H)

Helicopter Instrument Rating IR(H)

Helicopter Instructor Rating