Quiz: IFR Departures

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This month's quiz tests your knowledge of IFR departures, from obstacle departure procedures and standard instrument departures to departure clearances and real-world ATC expectations. These five questions highlight situations that instrument pilots encounter regularly.

New AIM Now Available, Highlights a Simple Way to Improve IFR Proficiency

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The FAA has released Change 3 to the Aeronautical Information Manual (AIM), effective July 9, 2026. While this update includes only a handful of revisions, it's a good reminder to make sure you're always referencing the latest guidance—and Sporty's makes that easy.

ODP Versus VCOA (Visual Climb Over Airport)

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Every airport that has a published instrument approach has also been surveyed for departures. It’s assumed that an aircraft will cross the departure end of the runway (DER) at 35 feet AGL, and climb to 400 feet AGL on runway heading, with a climb gradient of 200 feet per NM.

Webinar Video: Understanding Vertical Guidance on IFR Approaches with Bruce Williams

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Join instructor instructor and IFR Focus contributing author Bruce Williams as he explains the three primary types of vertical guidance used on today's IFR approaches.

New IFR Mastery Scenario: Which Risk Will You Accept?

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After an easy VFR flight to Oregon, the return trip home presents a very different picture. Marginal weather has moved in, headwinds have picked up, and every available route comes with tradeoffs. Do you fly direct over the mountains? Follow the airways? Take a longer route with better weather but more challenging terrain? Or simply wait another day?

Into the Clouds: Hazards in Your Head

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The ability to take off into the clouds is a great use of instrument privileges. As with any phase of flight, departures are made safer by knowing the risks. Those include spatial disorientation, which can be managed well with the knowledge and skills you need for "logging actual."
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