FAA IR Flight Training

After having passed the FAA IR written test, you have 24 calendar months to pass the practical exam.

There are 3 possibilities for your flight training :

1) "FULL EUROPE" training :

2) "FULL US" training :

3) "Mixed" training :

We will be glad to assist you in either the "FULL EUROPE" option or the "Mixed training" option.

Since 9/11, it is mandatory to register any INSTRUMENT, MEP or INITIAL practical training with the TSA (Transportation Security Agency) prior to begin the flight training.
This can be done online (we will guide you through the process).

Orbifly is registered with TSA. This allows us to provide our trainings to non-US citizens and out of the US territories.

Once you have registered and been granted permission to initiate the training, you can fly !

Flight Training with Orbifly

As for the Ground Training, Orbifly has developped an intensive Flight Training for the Instrument Rating, that can be entirely done in Europe.

The training is organized in Phases :

- PHASE 1 (5 days) : Initial training : back to the IMC basis !
- PHASE 2 (5 days) : Advanced IFR training
- PHASE FINISH-UP (if needed) : Advanced IFR training
- PHASE CHECK (3 days) : Checkride prep + checkride

The Phase 3 will depend upon your prior experience, your prior training logged, and also your possible personal training with a Safety Pilot.

Between phases, you are given "home trainings" that can be done under the hood. That simulated IMC training with a safety pilot can even be flown on non-US-registrated airplane (under VFR conditions only).

When you subscribe with us, your training is planned step-by-step from the first flight to the end of your training. This allows you to have a global view on your cursus.

Our intensive trainings can be organized at one of our bases, or in some cases, upon request, they can take place on your homeplace. You want to know the schedule ? Check our Agenda !

And what about the flight test ?

For the flight test, you have two options available :

- Take the test in Europe, with a designated examiner

- Or take the test in the US, after a familiarisation training

Option 1 : Take your test in Europe

There is only one FAA examiner designated for Europe. This means you can take your test on your own airplane, in the European skies.

You will have to take your appointment yourself, directly with the examiner, as this has to be done independently from the flight training provider, once you are endorsed as ready by your instructor.

You will also pay the examiner fee directly to the examiner.
As an indication, the prices observed (including examiner fee + expenses) were from 1495 GBP to 1890 GBP for one IR test in France (Oct 2019 and Feb 2020), and 2665 GBP for two flight tests in France (Feb 2020), so approximately just under 2000 EUR for one test and 3000 EUR for two tests.
We cannot commit to the price that will be charged by the examiner for the test.

Once your appointment has been made for a flight test on the airfield agreed between you and the examiner, we can accompany you for 2 to 3 days of final preparation on site prior to your exam.

Option 2 : Take your test in the US

This interesting alternative will allow you to discover what it is to fly in the USA. You will complete your training in Europe, then fly away for a short stay in the USA, accompanied by one of our instructors.

At the end of a familiarization training on the locally-rented airplane (generally 4 to 5 days, according to your needs), you will be able to pass your flight test... and you will have discovered at the same time a brand new aeronautical world!

We organize these discovery/finish-up stays in partnership with flight schools located in the US, where we can rent airplanes and find the most interesting conditions possible for you.

Any further questions ? Check our FAQ or contact us !