Course Overview

About This Course

Flight One's CASA Instrument Rating course is designed to equip pilots with the skills necessary to operate aircraft under Instrument Flight Rules (IFR), enabling safe flight in various weather conditions and reduced visibility. The program includes comprehensive ground school theory classes to prepare for the Instrument Rating exam (IREX), as well as practical training using Flight One's modern fleet and CASA-certified Alsim flight simulator. The course also optionally integrates a multi-engine class rating, providing valuable experience and expanding career opportunities in charter work, flight instructing, medical services, and emergency operations.

Where You Can Study

Available Locations

Brisbane, QLD

4 Qantas Avenue, Archerfield, QLD 4108

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Eligibility

Entry Requirements

General Requirements

General Entry Criteria

Be at least 18 years old at the planned commencement date
Have completed Australian senior high school or equivalent; OR successfully pass the prescribed Language, Literacy and Numeracy test
Have a native or advanced level of English

Flight School Entry Criteria

Successfully pass the Symbiotic ADAPT pilot aptitude test
Successfully pass a discussion style interview with the Head of School

CASA Criteria

Hold at least a Private Pilot Licence (PPL) and be proficient in English
Be eligible to obtain an Aviation Reference Number (ARN) from CASA
Be eligible to obtain a CASA Class 1 Aviation Medical Certificate (must remain valid for the duration of the course)
Be eligible to obtain an Australian Aviation Security Identity Card (ASIC), which requires police clearance
Have sufficient English language ability to pass the CASA Aviation English Language Proficiency (AELP) assessment (minimum level 4)
Have aeronautical knowledge and experience evidenced by CASA documentation and/or licensing for the proposed training stage, if relevant

Career & Study Pathways

Where this takes you

Career Opportunities

The course expands career opportunities in charter work, flight instructing, medical services, and emergency operations. It also prepares pilots for advanced commercial roles and enables them to fly under Instrument Flight Rules (IFR) in a broader range of weather conditions.

Quality & Recognition

Accreditation & Migration

Academic Regulator

ASQA

Professional Body

Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA)

Accreditation Status

Accredited

Skills Assessor

CASA

Common Questions

Frequently Asked Questions

How many flight hours are required to complete the Instrument Rating course?

The course requires a total of 40+ flying hours, up to 20 hours in a CASA-certified flight simulator, and over 30 hours of pilot briefing time (one-on-one or small group instruction), plus ground school preparation for the CASA Instrument Rating Exam (IREX).

What aircraft and simulators will I train on?

Flight One operates a modern fleet including Cessna 172s (with and without Glass Cockpit), Twin-engine Piper Seminoles, and parachute-equipped Cirrus SR20s. Simulator training is conducted using a CASA-certified Alsim flight simulator.

How much does the Instrument Rating course cost?

The self-funded, self-paced course is approximately $35,000. This is a guide to costs only and will depend on course progression and success. Individual costs are detailed in the rates and charges guide.

Can I combine the Instrument Rating with the Commercial Pilot Licence (CPL)?

Yes. Flight One offers a dual diploma programme that combines the CPL and Instrument Rating, which is the option most flight training students select. This combined programme is also available with a $0 VSL Gap Fee for eligible students.

Is there an option to add a multi-engine rating to the Instrument Rating course?

Yes. The course optionally integrates a multi-engine class rating, providing valuable experience and expanding career opportunities. Flight One also offers a dedicated Multi Engine Instrument Rating (MEIR) option.

Application

How to Apply

Three simple steps to get enrolled

Step 01

Enquire

Click "Enquire Now" and tell us a little about yourself. It's free and takes 2 minutes.

Step 02

Submit Documents

Our team will guide you on exactly which documents to prepare and submit.

Step 03

Get Enrolled

Receive your offer letter and confirm your enrolment. Welcome to the course!

Course Snapshot

Salary, careers & skills

Typical Salary

Entry-level (0-2 years)AUD $70,000 to $90,000 per year

Early Career (2-5 years)AUD $90,000 to $115,000 per year

Mid-Level (5-10 years)AUD $115,000 to $150,000 per year

Career Paths

Robotics EngineerMechatronics EngineerAutomation EngineerControl Systems EngineerEmbedded Systems Engineer

Key Skills

Design and development of robotic and mechatronic systemsProgramming in languages such as Python, C, C++, and MATLABControl systems design and implementationEmbedded systems and microcontroller programmingComputer vision and image processing

Full Course Overview

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