What does an Instrument Rating allow?

An IR lets you fly under Instrument Flight Rules in controlled airspace and in instrument meteorological conditions (cloud, low visibility), flying published approaches and airways. It's mandatory for commercial airline operations.

How much does an IR cost in United Kingdom?

Plan for €8,000–20,000 in United Kingdom. Multi-engine IRs cost more than single-engine; using an approved simulator for part of the course reduces aircraft-hour costs.

What is the competency-based IR (CB-IR)?

The CB-IR is a flexible EASA route that credits your existing instrument experience, reducing the required training hours. It reaches the same full IR privileges as the traditional course.

Do I need an IR for an airline job?

Yes. A multi-engine instrument rating is part of every frozen ATPL and a hard requirement for airline first-officer roles. Many pilots add the IR straight after their CPL or as part of an integrated course.

Instrument Rating (IR) Schools in United Kingdom

EASA-approved schools offering Instrument Rating training across United Kingdom.

0+ schools|1 country

Last updated: July 21, 2026 Maintained by Aviatr Editorial Team

An Instrument Rating (IR) lets you fly in cloud and low visibility on instruments alone — essential for serious cross-country flying and a prerequisite for any airline career. Aviatr lists 0 EASA-approved ATOs in United Kingdom offering single- and multi-engine IR(A) training, including the competency-based (CB-IR) route. Compare schools on simulator access, multi-engine fleet and instructor experience below.

Typical cost

An instrument rating typically costs €8,000–20,000 depending on single- vs multi-engine and how much approved simulator time replaces aircraft hours. The competency-based IR can be cheaper for pilots with existing IFR experience.

How long it takes

Most students complete an IR in 2–4 months. Expect around 40–55 hours of instrument instruction, a portion of which can be flown in an approved FNPT II simulator, plus theory and a skills test.