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How much cross-country time as pilot in command does 61.65 require for the instrument-airplane rating?

50 hours of PIC cross-country.

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  1. 50 hours ✔
  2. 25 hours
  3. 100 hours

Why: 61.65(d)(1) requires 50 hours of cross-country time as pilot in command for the instrument-airplane rating. At least 10 of those hours must be in an airplane.

Huh, didn't know that: Combined private and instrument applicants can credit up to 45 hours of PIC cross-country flown with an authorized instructor.

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Instructor: "What was your last known position?" Lost student: "When I was number one for takeoff."
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References

Answer: 50 hours. 61.65(d)(1) requires 50 hours of cross-country time as pilot in command for the instrument-airplane rating. At least 10 of those hours must be in an airplane.

  1. 14 CFR 61.65 Instrument rating requirements www.law.cornell.edu/cfr/text/14/61.65
    50 hours of cross-country time as pilot in command
    Checked 2026-10-10.

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