Instrument Rating Course - Online Ground School

This comprehensive course includes over 12 hours of HD video and animations that explain everything you need to know to earn your instrument rating and feel confident in the clouds. If you're pursuing your instrument rating, this course will help you ace your FAA written test and save money during flight training. For pilots getting back into IFR flying or preparing for an IPC, it will help you refresh your knowledge and become a safe and proficient Instrument pilot. With a comprehensive document library, convenient app options, and powerful test prep tools — it truly is aviation’s most complete IFR training course.

What's New

What Hasn't Changed

Dynamic in-flight video

• HD Flight Maneuvers
• Aircraft Systems in 3D
• New Technology

Interactive Written Test Prep

• Custom Study Sessions
• Test Prep Analytics
• Practice FAA Tests

10 reasons pilots prefer Sporty's courses:

1. Nine formats, one price We know you’re busy, so our course is available almost anywhere. Use our online learning platform for complete access to videos and quizzes anywhere you have an internet connection. There’s no software to install – just log in and start learning. Or use our dedicated mobile apps for iPad, iPhone, Android, Apple TV, and Roku, which allow you to download videos for offline viewing. Progress automatically syncs between all formats so you can start a study session on your phone and finish on your laptop without missing a beat.
2. Get your written test endorsement When you complete the course, we’ll give you the flight instructor endorsement to take the written test—instantly! You can take this endorsement to the FAA testing center, and log it in your ForeFlight logbook. It's complete preparation for the FAA Knowledge Test.
3. Pass all your tests—guaranteed! Our course is so complete we guarantee you’ll pass all three tests: the written, oral and flight. Our video segments make complicated subjects like aerodynamics and weather easy to understand, so you’ll impress the examiner. Plus, our Airman Certification Standards Study Guide cross-references every required task to the videos, making it easy to review for the checkride.
4. Dynamic in-flight video Sporty’s courses are famous for their HD video and 3D animations. You’ll see the flight maneuvers from the left seat, and you’ll hear actual communications with air traffic control. Plus, each video segment includes helpful review notes and quizzes to reinforce key concepts.
5. 27 fully-narrated HD maneuvers In addition to the comprehensive video segments, Sporty’s Instrument Rating course also includes a detailed maneuvers guide. All 27 maneuvers you might be tested on are included, with a 3D animation of the maneuver, narrated procedures, common errors, and completion standards.
6. Powerful test prep tools Create customized study sessions from the actual FAA test questions and see the right and wrong answers, plus plain English explanations written by our team of CFIs. Detailed analytics show you which areas need the most help, and allow you to study only the questions you’ve missed. Then, take a practice test that simulates the real knowledge exam you'll have to pass.
7. Flight Instructor tracking We make it easy for your instructor to follow your progress through the course, so you always stay in sync with your in-person lessons. Invite a CFI to see your practice test scores and review your video progress.
8. Ask a CFI If you're stumped by a difficult subject, talk to the experienced flight instructors at Sporty's. We have a team of over 25 CFIs on staff at our flight school, training students every day just like you, so they can offer quick, helpful answers. Just click the Ask a CFI button to send a message.
9. Complete training syllabus Research shows that pilots learn better when they use a high quality syllabus. We include a complete Training Course Outline as part of our course – the same one we use in our flight school. It includes detailed outlines for both ground and flight lessons. Think of it as a bridge between your at-home study and flight training.
10. Free lifetime updates When you buy a Sporty's course, you're gaining access to a training platform that's always up to date and always improving. We are continually adding new video segments to reflect new regulations and technology. We also refresh our FAA test question database regularly, so you don't study outdated topics. There's no additional fee or subscription to receive these updates - just log in and learn!

The Instrument training experts

At Sporty’s, we pioneered weekend instrument ground schools over 50 years ago, traveling the country to teach pilots the keys to IFR flying in just 3 days. Today, we operate an active flight school at our home airport (I69) with over 100 flight students. This everyday practical experience with instrument students makes us uniquely qualified to offer the most complete, up-to-date training courses available. When you learn with Sporty’s, you’re learning from the best.

More powerful features:

• Closed-captioned videos help students whose first language is not English.
• Download videos for offline viewing in the app or stream them with an internet connection.
• Connect to your ForeFlight logbook to log your written test endorsement.
• Automatic progress sync between all formats.
• Redbird GIFT integration: use Sporty's course with Redbird simulators.
• Air Facts segments go beyond the textbook to make you a proficient pilot.
• Earn FAA WINGS credit and save on your insurance.
• Review notes and quick quizzes after most videos help you review your progress.
• Automatic updates mean you learn the latest information.

Works With:

• Web Browsers
• iPad/iPhone
• AppleTV
• Android
• Roku