Instrument Rating Certificate

The instrument rating certificate is designed for non-career track students to earn their private pilot certification while adding on the instrument rating without entering the degree program. Courses taken within this certification are also stackable within the degree program.

Specific Requirements

Courses requiring a grade of “C” or better: AER

Required Courses

Note: A-B Tech does not offer AER-151 Flight- Private Pilot as part of the Instrument Rating Certificate. To earn your private pilot certificate (license), you can complete your training at our flight school provider, WNC Aviation, at any other FAA-certified flight school, or with any FAA-certified flight instructor. Once you obtain your private pilot certificate, you will receive credit via licensure for the AER-151 course.

Course Code	Course	Credit Hours	Link to course details
AER-111		3
This course covers the atmosphere, interpretation and measurement of meteorological elements, and the effects of such on aircraft operations and performance. Topics include heat exchanges in the atmosphere; temperature, pressure, stability, clouds, air masses, fronts, and thunderstorms; and the use and interpretation of weather data. Upon completion, students should be able to analyze weather data for flight planning and safe flying. View course details for Aviation Meteorology ‌‌
AER-112		2
This course provides an in-depth study of the state, federal, and international regulations forming the structure of aviation law. Emphasis is placed on Federal Aviation Regulations Parts 61, 91, and 135 with additional emphasis on legal issues in aviation law. Upon completion, students should be able to apply legal principles and interpret federal air regulations. View course details for Aviation Laws and FARs ‌‌
AER-151		1
This course provides the hands-on training needed to qualify for a Federal Aviation Administration private pilot certificate. Topics include flight maneuvers (ground procedures, take-offs, climbs, level flight, turns, glides, stalls, slow flight, descents, slips, landings, emergency procedures) and cross-country planning and navigation. Upon completion, students should be able to demonstrate the competencies required for the flight test practical exam for the private pilot certificate. View course details for Flight-Private Pilot ‌‌
AER-160		3
This course covers the required aeronautical knowledge of the Federal Aviation Administration Regulation Instrument Ground School. Topics include a study of instruments, systems, instrument flight charts, instrument flight planning, approach procedures, and IFR regulations. Upon completion, students should be able to demonstrate the competencies required to complete the FAA written examination for an instrument rating. View course details for Instrument Flight Theory ‌‌
AER-161		2
This course covers instruction and training in instrument flight planning including IFR navigation, VOR, ILS, ADF, and compliance with ATC procedures. Emphasis is placed on approach and navigation procedures, including holding and missed approaches, and development of skill in executing en route and approach procedures. Upon completion, students should be able to plan and execute an IFR flight and demonstrate competencies required for the FAA instrument pilot flight exam. View course details for Flight - Instrument Pilot ‌‌
AER-215		3
This course covers the basic procedures and practices of aircraft accident prevention, accident investigation, and reporting. Topics include a comprehensive review of federal regulations pertinent to aviation safety and analyses of actual aviation accident cases and their causes. Upon completion, students should be able to demonstrate an understanding and respect for specific personal factors such as attitude, motivation, and skill related to flight safety. View course details for Flight Safety ‌‌

Total Credit Hours Required:

Curriculum is based on the 2024-2025 catalog.

Why General Education?

You may be asking yourself, “Why do I have to take (course name) when it is not directly related to my major?”

General Education courses will help you develop skills necessary to be successful in your major and in life. General Education can teach you how to talk to your employer, write a paper in a major course, understand interest rates on your car, and much more. General Education can also give you the skills to be a better member of society and a more informed citizen. Critical thinking, global understanding, and appreciation for the human experience are hallmarks of a well-rounded education.

How many hours of General Education do I have to take?

If you are enrolled in an Associate of Applied Science Degree program, a minimum of 15 general education hours are required in the following categories:

Six hours from Communication
Three hours from Humanities & Fine Arts
Three hours from Social & Behavioral Science
Three hours from Natural Science & Mathematics

General Education courses have been pre-selected for you by your faculty from the following list:

Communication	Humanities & Fine Arts	Social & Behavioral Science	Natural Science & Mathematics
COM-110	ART-111	ECO-251	BIO-161
COM-120	ART-114	ECO-252	BIO-163
COM-231	ART-115	HIS-111	BIO-168
ENG-110	HUM-110	HIS-112	MAT-110
ENG-111	HUM-115	HIS-131	MAT-121
ENG-112	MUS-110	HIS-132	MAT-143
ENG-114	MUS-112	POL-120	MAT-152
	PHI-215	PSY-150	MAT-171
	PHI-240	SOC-210	PHY-110/110A
		SOC-225	PHY-121

Degrees designed to transfer to universities require more general education hours. If you are enrolled in the Associate in Arts or Associate in Science, you are required to take 45 hours of General Education from the following categories:

Six hours in English Composition
Six to nine hours in Communication/Humanities & Fine Arts
Six to nine hours in Social & Behavioral Sciences
Three to eight hours in Mathematics
Four to eight hours in Natural Sciences
11 to 14 additional General Education hours

If you are enrolled in the Associate in Engineering, you are required to take 42 general education hours from the following:

Six hours in English Composition
Six hours in Communication/Humanities & Fine Arts
Six work hours in Social & Behavioral Sciences
12 hours in Mathematics
12 hours in Natural Sciences

If you are enrolled in the Associate in Fine Arts in Visual Arts, you are required to take 25 general education hours from the following:

Six hours in English Composition
Six hours in Communication/Humanities & Fine Arts
Six hours in Social & Behavioral Sciences
Three to four hours in Mathematics
Four hours in Natural Sciences

Additional information about General Education for transfer degrees, including courses that satisfy each category, may be found in the current College Catalog.

What will I learn in General Education?

At A-B Tech, our faculty have designed a general education core so that A-B Tech graduates will learn the following:

Students will critically evaluate information:

Students will demonstrate information literacy.
Students will critique works of human expression.
Students will analyze scientific literature.

Students will solve problems:

Students will identify processes.
Students will analyze problems.
Students will interpret the results.
Students will recommend appropriate strategies or solutions.

Students will effectively communicate.

Students will communicate appropriately about the subject.
Students will communicate appropriately with the audience.
Students will communicate appropriately for the medium.

Ever wonder how A-B Tech awards credit for a certain course?

A-B Tech complies with the North Carolina State Board of Community Colleges Code, so your courses are assigned the course level and receive the same amount of credit as courses at all 58 North Carolina Community Colleges.

If you want to read more about this, see the A-B Tech Policy and Procedure for the Assignment of Course Level Credit.