IFR pilots - getting the rating

[Jmh05]

How long did it take to get your IFR ticket? Advice, comments or suggestions.

I've been a ranch pilot and VFR cross country pilot for about 6yrs, thinking about using a long stretch of down time after the new year to work on my IFR ticket.

[MQ32Shooter]

Honestly JMH, it's all about the money. I started mine many, many years ago and just ran out of money. My best friend and flying buddy had the VA money available and got his in no time. In fact he went on to get a Double I.

[flywise]

Only takes as long as you have time to fly.
Like MQ32shooter I started mine but could not make it often enough to keep in practice so I quit. I would guess if you could go every day for a couple hours you could get it fairly quickly.

[elgato]

I got my IFR ticket so long ago I frankly don't remember how long it took. Memory suggest back then 200 hours min. was required. What I do believe is that the instrument ticket is the most valuable of all the ratings. Having the competency to fly by instruments makes you a better safer pilot!. I cannot encourage enough anyone flying an airplane to not stop till they have instrument fluency.

My other suggestion is that you fly enough to stay sharp and current. Even with an instrument ticket unless you practice the skills routinely you can find yourself in an uncomfortable situation.

Been flying for over 40 years. Apologies if I sound preachy.

[Jmh05]

Nope, all sounds good. I used to fly about 120hrs/yr but my career has dropped it to about 40/yr but I think I'm at a point that it's going to pick back up, which is why I want to move forward with IFR.