What is required for an airman to exercise privileges of an instrument rating?

To exercise the privileges of an instrument rating, an airman must hold a valid instrument rating and comply with specific currency requirements. This means that the pilot must not only have obtained the necessary training and certification to be rated as an instrument pilot, but they also need to ensure that they have maintained their proficiency through recent flight experience. This typically includes a minimum number of instrument approach procedures completed in the preceding time frame to ensure the pilot is current and capable of safely operating under instrument flight rules (IFR).

The necessity for a medical certificate is essential for any pilot operating an aircraft, but it is not specific to the instrument rating itself. While a commercial pilot license is not a requirement for an airman to obtain an instrument rating, it is common for pilots seeking to use their instrument rating alongside a commercial license. Passing an advanced aviation exam, though part of the training process, does not alone meet the operational requirements, making it insufficient as a standalone requirement for exercising instrument privileges.