Instrument Rating

Learn the skills to fly at night and in various weather conditions.

Instrument Rating - Inside Plane Cockpit

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Pilot Job Outlook is Strong

Employment for airline and commercial pilots are projected to grow 6% from 2021-2031, with a median salary of $134,600. After earning your PPL, an instrument rating is the next step toward landing a great job with an airline. If you already have an instrument rating, we can assist in customizing your learning journey.

  • 6% Projected growth
  • $134,600 Median salary

*Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, on the Internet at https://www.bls.gov/oes/current/oes532011.htm Site visited on 6/8/2023. Also, job market conditions are dynamic and can change. This data is not intended to predict the market conditions that will be present when you graduate from your program and may differ based on your geographic location and other factors.

Level Up with an Instrument Rating

By earning your Instrument Rating, you are able to fly in a more unrestricted way. As a CFA Instrument Rating holder, you’ll have the skills and credentials to fly:

  • During the day or night
  • Under Instrument Meteorological Conditions (IMC) such as low visibility and cloudy conditions
  • Through different types of airspace

Employers Who Hire Our Graduates

  • American Airlines logo
  • Delta airlines logo
  • AeroMexico Airlines Logo (1)

Job Placement Assistance - For Life

At CFA, our success is your success. Starting on day one, we aim to provide our students with the resources needed for a successful career. This is why we assist our graduates, for life, with the following:

  • calendar iconCareer coaching
  • printer iconInterview preparation
  • envelope iconResume Building
  • checkmark iconLicense & rating transition
  • headphones iconJob placement assistance
  • globe iconBuilding a professional network

Guaranteed Job Interview for CFA Graduates

If you earn your private, instrument, and commercial licenses from CFA, and your CFI from any school, we’ll guarantee you a job interview. This will allow you to earn additional flight hours to be hired as a pilot. Many newly licensed pilots earn their flight instructor ratings so they can teach students and earn up to 1,000 hours or more of flight time while getting paid!

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Program Highlights

  • 4Months
  • 30+Ground school hours
  • 14+Simulator Hours
  • 55+Flight Hours *national average
Captain hand accelerating on the throttle in commercial airliner

Instrument Rating Program

An FAA Instrument Rating allows you to operate a single-engine aircraft under Instrument Meteorological Conditions (IMC). With CFA’s accelerated four month program, you’ll learn all the skills needed to successfully complete your Instrument Rating including:

Skills You Learn:

  • Applicable FAA regulations
  • Air traffic control systems
  • Aircraft operations safety
  • Instrument approach charts
  • Flight by instruments & navigation systems
  • Aviation weather reports & forecasting
  • Operation of aircraft under instrument rules & conditions
  • Critical weather situations
  • Aeronautical decision-making
  • Crew resource management
  • Preflight & postflight procedures
  • Emergency operations

For foreign students, once you’ve earned your USA FAA credentials, we’ll assist you in converting them to the appropriate foreign credentials.

License & Approvals

Modern, Safe Aircraft

As a CFA student, you’ll fly Cessna and Beechcraft airplanes that are maintained above FAA safety standards

Hear from Our Successful Graduates

Not only do we receive high satisfaction ratings from our graduates, but they also are placed with some of the top airlines around the globe.

  • Airbus 319 First Officer

    “After much research I chose CFA. The friends I made here and the knowledgeable instructors have made it very easy for me to secure my future in the skies. In my opinion, this is the best place to study and to get your license.”

    Maharshi Patel,

    – Maharshi Patel

  • Boeing 737 First Officer

    "CFA was a great experience for me. I had everything to take my first steps in aviation. I'm now a Boeing 737 First Officer!"

    Galina Marakhovskaya

    – Galina Marakhovskaya

  • Miat Mongolian Airlines

    "CFA has the best weather to fly with good training facilities. Now I'm a Boeing 737 First Officer at Miat Mongolian Airlines!"

    Tuguldur Boldbaatar,

    – Tuguldur Boldbaatar

  • Airbus 319 First Officer

    “I just want to say thank you for my whole private pilot training experience. Two months ago I passed my final release check ride and now I’m an Airbus 319 First Officer!”

    Alberto Porras Lozano

    – Alberto Porras Lozano

  • Amazing Experience

    "My CFA experience was amazing. The instructors are so loving and caring - the best I could have asked for."

    Mitchell Ross,

    – Mitchell Ross

  • Home Away from Home

    "I’m glad I chose CFA, because all of the staff and instructors are very humble and kind. All the students here are very friendly, and I have made friends from all over the world. This makes CFA my home away from home."

    Irfan Asif

    – Irfan Asif

  • Found Everything

    "I was looking for very good customer service, good location, plenty of airplanes to train in, and good weather. I found everything I was looking for in CFA."

    Luis Manuel Gómez Hernández

    – Luis Manuel Gómez Hernández

Benefits For You

  • pilot training in cockpit

    Personalized Mentoring

    Get one-on-one support and mentoring from licensed, experienced flight instructors.

  • gillespie field

    Gillespie Field

    Located on Gillespie Field Airport, you’ll get experience with air traffic control communications.

  • prop airplane over san diego

    San Diego Weather

    With 260 days of sunshine year-round, you’ll have plenty of days to build maximum flight hours.

  • flight training simulator

    Modern Aircraft

    Maintained above FAA industry standards, our aircraft will provide you a safe training environment.

  • female pilot flying prop plane

    Job Placement Assistance

    We’ll help you get connected with the right airlines so you can advance your pilot career.

  • private pilots give thumbs up form cockpit

    Build a Network

    We plan and sponsor various student events throughout the year so you’ll develop friendships – for life.

Highly Recommended by Students & Graduates

  • “California Flight Academy has been the best place to jumpstart my aviation journey.”
    –Viv G.
  • “CFA is a great school that truly cares about its students.”
    –Paola R.
  • “Great people and great atmosphere.”
    –Richard S.
  • “Between game nights, welcome parties, and exhibitions, I strongly recommend CFA.”
    –Ron
  • “CFA always makes sure their planes are maintained and in safe conditions.”
    –Francis D.
  • "I was looking for very good customer service, good location, plenty of airplanes to train in, and good weather. I found everything I was looking for in CFA."
    –Luis Manuel Gómez Hernández
  • "CFA has the best weather to fly with good training facilities. Now I'm a Boeing 737 First Officer at Miat Mongolian Airlines!"
    –Tuguldur Boldbaatar
  • "My CFA experience was amazing. The instructors are so loving and caring - the best I could have asked for."
    –Mitchell Ross
  • "I’m glad I chose CFA, because all of the staff and instructors are very humble and kind. All the students here are very friendly, and I have made friends from all over the world. This makes CFA my home away from home."
    –Irfan Asif
  • "CFA was a great experience for me. I had everything to take my first steps in aviation. I'm now a Boeing 737 First Officer!"
    –Galina Marakhovskaya
  • “I just want to say thank you for my whole private pilot training experience. Two months ago I passed my final release check ride and now I’m an Airbus 319 First Officer!”
    –Alberto Porras Lozano
  • “After much research I chose CFA. The friends I made here and the knowledgeable instructors have made it very easy for me to secure my future in the skies. In my opinion, this is the best place to study and to get your license.”
    –Maharshi Patel

Financing Options

Your pursuit of higher education is one of the most important investments you'll make. CFA will work with you to identify a financing plan that fits your needs. We offer loans through thirty-party financial institutions, as well as affordable monthly payment options. Please contact us to learn more.

Tuition

Tuition at California Flight Academy is broken up into four phases as highlighted on our Tuition page.

See Tuition Page

Admissions Process

Are you ready to become a pilot? Take the next step today!

To begin the application process, you will need to have the following ready:

  1. Personal Contact Information
  2. Personal Information and Background
  3. Payment for Application Fee
Apply Today

If you need assistance or have any questions, please contact your admissions representative, email [email protected], or call: (619) 448-2212.