Practical tips, scenarios, and tools for IFR pilots : IFR Focus

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Departure Planning for IFR Pilots: Risk Management Tips

November 1, 2025

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Departures can be one of the riskiest phases of flight, especially in instrument conditions (IMC) or mountainous terrain. Even experienced pilots benefit from a structured approach to departure planning that accounts for terrain, obstacles, aircraft performance, and weather.

Chart Smart: low altitude IFR enroute chart intersection symbol

October 29, 2025

Think you know your IFR charts? In our “Chart Smart” series, we’ll put your instrument knowledge to the test with real examples from approach plates and en route charts—then break down what each symbol really means.

IFR Focus Video: SmartCharts in Action on a June Gloom Flight

October 24, 2025

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Veteran instructor and author Bruce Williams takes us along on an IFR flight from Bellingham, WA (KBLI) to Bremerton (KPWT) in his Bonanza, using Garmin SmartCharts in the Garmin Pilot app. This quick 30-minute hop showcases how SmartCharts declutter complex procedures—like the KLSHN TWO RNAV departure—and make it easier to visualize key information in real time. Along the way, Bruce flies the RNAV (GPS) RWY 20 approach through the clouds, offering practical tips on procedure loading and approach setup.

Electronic Flight Bags—Legal Briefing

October 21, 2025

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For instrument-rated pilots, an iPad or other electronic flight bag (EFB) isn’t just a convenience—it’s a fully legal replacement for paper charts in most Part 91 operations. Staying current with the FAA’s rules and guidance is an important part of maintaining IFR proficiency, and understanding the legal framework helps you use your digital tools confidently.

Instrument Maneuver Spotlight: Radar Vectored Instument Approach

October 17, 2025

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When ATC takes control of your headings and altitudes, precision and anticipation are key. In this spotlight, we’ll cover how to fly an instrument approach using radar vectors from ATC—maintaining communication discipline, staying ahead of the airplane, and managing configuration and speed changes.

Practical IFR: Don’t Disable. Revert!

October 14, 2025

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What should you do when the autopilot fails to capture the glideslope or turns right when you expected left? You should disengage the autopilot and hand-fly, right? Wrong. Wrong. Wrong. Think about this objectively for a moment. Right at a critical moment in the approach, you’ve been hit with a surprise, so you double your workload by throwing out one of your best IFR tools. You do it right when a precise flying action is required.

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