We all have moments where visibility all but disappears. That’s precisely why we have instrument training, so we can get ourselves out of sticky situations and back into our comfort zones. This leads us to a good question, can a certified flight instructor (CFI) and not an instrument certified instructor (CFII) give you the three hours of instrument training you need as a private pilot?

The short answer is yes. The instructor can, in fact, provide training on the control and maneuvering of an airplane solely by reference to instruments. But the training they’ll provide you with is for emergency situations only. It’s designed to prevent you from losing control if you inadvertently enter the clouds or find yourself trapped on top. It helps you do three things:

1. Recognize that the situation requires immediate remedial action
2. Maintain control of your aircraft
3. Get the assistance you need to get the airplane safely on the ground

Essentially it’s the stop, drop and roll of flying. Now, if you want to be able to fly under instrument flight rules (IFR), that requires an instrument-rating practical test. It’s much more robust, and only instructors with an instrument rating on their flight instructor certificate can deliver it.

So, if you’re a private pilot looking for the basics, your average flight instructor should be able to provide you with what you need. But if you’re a certified pilot looking to fly in the air traffic system under IFR, you’ll have to go with an instructor certified as a CFII.