Welcome to IFR Focus: Sharpen Your Skills, Master the System

Instrument flying is demanding. It’s also deeply rewarding—when you’re prepared.

A note from the editor:

As both a pilot and a flight instructor, I know firsthand how easy it is to lose your edge when it comes to instrument flying. Proficiency isn’t just about staying legal—it’s about staying sharp, confident, and ready for whatever ATC or the weather throws your way.

That’s why we created IFR Focus—a new destination dedicated entirely to the art and science of flying in the system.

Whether you’re an experienced IFR pilot looking to stay sharp or a student climbing toward that checkride, you’ll find practical content here to help you fly safer, smoother, and smarter. We’re talking:

• Real-world articles written by instrument pilots
• Video tips that demonstrate techniques, not just talk about them
• Scenarios that challenge your thinking and build judgment
• Quizzes to reinforce what you know (and reveal what you don’t)
• Flight maneuvers, chart insights, and avionics techniques
• And most of all, our monthly signature feature: Practical IFR

Jeff Van West brings you Practical IFR.

At the heart of each monthly email is Practical IFR, an in-depth feature written by noted instructor and aviation writer Jeff Van West. Think of it as a cross between a blog and a deep-dive article, tackling real IFR questions and offering actionable tips you can apply to your next flight.

• Do you turn onto the localizer if you’re about to blast through it but haven’t been cleared?
• How should you manage glide performance engine-out in IMC with a strong headwind?
• Could lowering your personal minimums actually make you a safer pilot?

These are the kinds of real-world scenarios Practical IFR explores—with written analysis, a related video tip, and a quiz question to round it out.

No spam. No fluff. Just focused IFR training you can use.

IFR Focus—a new destination dedicated entirely to the art and science of flying in the system.

We hope you enjoy the site and the newsletter. Your feedback helps us make it better—feel free to reach out anytime at IFRFocus@Sportys.com.

—
Eric Radtke
Editor, IFR Focus

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Eric Radtke

It was his first airplane trip at age seven that made Eric decide to become a pilot. "While boarding the airplane, a flight attendant noticed my interest in the flight deck and urged me to go talk to the pilot. I give a lot of credit to that pilot for my career choice." Eric earned a bachelor’s degree in finance and went on to an airline career. He learned to fly at Sporty’s as part of the University of Cincinnati’s Professional Pilot Program, an initiative he later directed.Eric now manages Sporty’s media network including FlightTrainingCentral.com. In addition, Eric serves as a Captain in a Cincinnati-based corporate flight department.

Latest posts by Eric Radtke (see all)

• Welcome to IFR Focus: Sharpen Your Skills, Master the System - May 30, 2025
• Sporty’s Instrument Rating Course: New AI Tools & 2025 Course Updates - May 16, 2025
• Ask a CFI: What to Do If You Lose Comms While IFR - May 14, 2025