Helicopter Instrument Rating Syllabus and Lesson Plans

by Philip Greenspun and Kasim Te; updated August 2010

Site Home : Flying : Helicopter Instruction (Part 141) : One Course

Developed for students at East Coast Aero Club which operated under FAR Part 141 from July 2008 through July 2010.

Want to start training in Boston with East Coast Aero Club? Call 781-274-6322 to enroll, or email philg@mit.edu


Eligibility: A person must hold at least a private pilot certificate with a helicopter category and class rating prior to enrollment in the flight portion of the instrument rating helicopter course.

Completion Standards: The student must demonstrate through written tests, flight tests, and appropriate school records that he/she meets the knowledge, skill and experience requirements necessary to obtain an Instrument Rating - Helicopter.

Flight Training Course

FAR Requirements: (1) 35 hours of instrument training if the course is for an initial instrument rating. (2) 15 hours of instrument training if the course is for an additional instrument rating. (3) at least one cross-country flight that (i) Is in a helicopter and is performed under IFR; (ii) Is a distance of at least 100 nautical miles along airways or ATC-directed routing with one segment of the flight consisting of at least a straight-line distance of 50 nautical miles between airports; (iii) Involves an instrument approach at each airport; and (iv) Involves three different kinds of approaches with the use of navigation systems.

Required Topics:

  1. Preflight preparation
  2. Preflight procedures
  3. Air traffic control clearances and procedures
  4. Flight by reference to instruments
  5. Navigation systems
  6. Instrument approach procedures
  7. Emergency procedures
  8. Post flight procedures

Sequence: The flight training syllabus is divided into three stages. Each stage builds on previous learning and therefore should be completed in sequence prior to advancing to the next stage. To provide flexibility for adapting to individual student needs and the training environment, however, the sequence may be altered within the individual stage at the discretion of the flight instructor to meet particular training demands. These deviations shall not disturb the course continuity or objective. In addition, these deviations must be noted in the student's syllabus.

Completion Standards: The flight training course will be complete after the student has received training on the above topics and passed a flight check for each flight stage.

Total Hours:

36.25 hours dual (2.5 hours dual cross-country). Total hours may be reduced to 15 hours dual (including 2.5 hours of dual cross-country) if the student already has another instrument rating. This deviation shall not disturb the course continuity or objective. In addition, this deviation must be noted in the student's syllabus.

Flight Stage I

12.5 hours dual

Objective: The student will be introduced to attitude instrument flight and obtain the practical experience to control and accurately maneuver the helicopter solely by the reference to flight instruments. The student will see what actual IFR flights involve, from planning to filing to obtaining a clearance. The student will learn to use approach plates in flight and fly approaches. The student will practice missed approach procedures and holding.

Completion Standards: The student will be able to plan an IFR flight to a nearby airport and fly it under the hood from start to finish, with limited assistance from instructor.

Flight Stage II

8.75 dual

Objective: During this stage, the student will gain proficiency in all aspects of IFR flight, including uncommon approaches

Completion Standards: The student will be able to plan an IFR to a nearby airport and fly it under the hood from start to finish with no assistance from instructor (aside from simulated autopilot).

Flight Stage III

15 hours dual

Objective: During this stage, the student will learn how to handle emergencies, concentrating on partial panel flying.

Completion Standards: The student will demonstrate through the final stage check his/her ability to conduct instrument flight in the ATC system as outlined in the Practical Test Standards for Instrument Rating - Helicopter. In addition, the student will show proficiency in emergency procedures.

Ground Training Course

FAR Requirements: (1) 30 hours of training if the course is for an initial instrument rating. (2) 20 hours of training if the course is for an additional instrument rating.

Required Topics:

  1. CFRs for instrument pilot privileges, limitations and flight operations
  2. Applicable subjects of the AIM and FAA Advisory Circulars
  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 enroute and instrument approach procedure charts
  6. Procurement and use of aviation weather reports and forecasts
  7. Safe and efficient operation of aircraft under IFR rules and conditions
  8. Recognition of critical weather situations and wind shear avoidance
  9. Aeronautical decision making and judgment
  10. Crew resource management, including crew communication and coordination

Sequence: The ground training syllabus is designed to meet the requirements of FAR Part 141 and should be completed prior to the first flight training lesson in which the student is asked to fly an instrument approach (Flight Training Lesson 4). The course has three stages with a stage test at the conclusion of each stage. The lessons should be followed in numerical order. To provide flexibility for adapting to individual class needs, however, the syllabus lesson sequence may be altered at the discretion of the instructor. These deviations should not disturb the course continuity, objective, or result in the omission of any material.

Completion Standards: The ground training course will be complete after the student has received training on the above topics and passed a written examination for each ground stage.

Total Hours

Current Total: 35 hours

Ground Stage I

12.5 hours ground

Objective: The student will complete an in-depth study of meteorology and its effects on instrument flight. The student will also study the interpretation and application of weather reports, forecasts and other weather information sources.

Completion Standards: This stage is complete when the student has received instruction on each of the listed topics and passed the Stage I written examination with a minimum score of 70%.

Ground Stage II:

11.25 hours ground

Objective: The student will be introduced to the principles of basic attitude instrument flight and the function of navigational aids and receiving equipment in an IFR environment. In addition, the student will be introduced to holding procedures.

Completion Standards: This stage is complete when the student has received instruction on each of the listed topics and has passed the Stage II written examination with a minimum score of 70%.

Ground Stage III

11.25 hours ground

Objective: The student will review the FAR and AIM sections relevant to instrument certification. In addition, departure, en route and arrival procedures, including chart interpretation, IFR navigation and ATC communications will be covered. The student will also learn proper approach procedures, emergency procedures and IFR cross country planning.

Completion Standards: This stage is complete when the student has received instruction in each of the listed topics and has passed the stage III written exam with a minimum score of 70%.

Additional Documents


Text Copyright 2006-7 Philip Greenspun.
philg@mit.edu