Upcoming Webinar: Using a Home Simulator for IFR Training and Proficiency

Wednesday, February 18, 2026, at 3:00 PM EST

Home flight simulators have come a long way, and for instrument pilots they’ve become a legitimate tool for both training and staying sharp between flights. From procedure practice to scenario-based decision making, today’s simulators can meaningfully support IFR proficiency—when they’re set up and used the right way.

Sporty’s upcoming webinar, Using a Home Simulator for IFR Training and Proficiency, dives into exactly how to do that. Join Sporty’s instructor Chris McGonegle on Wednesday, February 18, 2026, at 3:00 PM EST, for a practical look at building and using an at-home simulator with instrument flying in mind.

Chris will walk through the major components of an effective IFR-focused simulator, including computer requirements, hardware options, and today’s leading flight simulation software. More importantly, he’ll focus on how to use a simulator from a pilot’s perspective—what it’s good at, where its limitations are, and how to stay in the “IFR corridor” while training at home.

Whether you’re working toward an instrument rating or looking for smarter ways to stay proficient, this webinar will offer realistic expectations, structured scenarios, and ideas to expand your personal minimums safely—without burning avgas.

• Author
• Recent Posts

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 IFRFocus.com. In addition, Eric serves as a Captain in a Cincinnati-based corporate flight department.

Latest posts by Eric Radtke (see all)

• Upcoming Webinar: Using a Home Simulator for IFR Training and Proficiency - February 13, 2026
• Ask an IFR Expert: What actually counts towards IFR currency? - January 27, 2026
• A New Year, a Sharper Focus: Practical Strategies for Maintaining Instrument Proficiency - January 6, 2026