Definition
An older FAA rating that allowed a private pilot to act as pilot in command in actual or simulated instrument conditions after completing five hours of instrument flight instruction. The rating was a limited form of instrument privilege and is no longer issued; today's equivalent is the full Instrument Rating, which requires substantially more training.
Plain English
A historical FAA endorsement that gave private pilots limited permission to fly in cloud or low-visibility conditions after just five hours of instrument training. It has been retired and replaced by the modern Instrument Rating.
Context Anchor
Seen in engine performance data, older engine specifications, and maintenance or certification discussions about allowable engine power.
Why Pilots Care
It determines the exact privileges a student pilot may exercise without further dual instruction.
Intuition Check
Do not read “rating” here as a pilot qualification, like an instrument rating. Here it means an approved engine power limit tied to a length of time.
Example Sentence 1
While reviewing his late grandfather's logbook, the student found an entry noting the issuance of a Five-Hour Rating in the 1950s.
Example Sentence 2
With the five-hour rating in place the student could practice solo patterns within the local practice area.