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Of the 40 hours of instrument time needed for the rating, how many must be received from an instrument instructor?

15 hours with an authorized instructor.

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  1. 10 hours
  2. 15 hours ✔
  3. 25 hours

Why: 61.65(d)(2) requires 40 hours of actual or simulated instrument time. 15 of those hours must come from an authorized instructor holding an instrument-airplane rating.

Huh, didn't know that: Simulators and training devices can credit up to 20 hours total, or up to 30 hours when training follows part 142.

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A certified flight instructor "freezes water with a single glance."
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References

Answer: 15 hours. 61.65(d)(2) requires 40 hours of actual or simulated instrument time. 15 of those hours must come from an authorized instructor holding an instrument-airplane rating.

  1. 14 CFR 61.65 Instrument rating requirements www.law.cornell.edu/cfr/text/14/61.65
    of which 15 hours must have been received from an authorized instructor who holds an instrument-airplane rating
    Checked 2026-10-10.

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