New IFR Mastery Scenario: Which Risk Will You Accept?

One of the most challenging aspects of IFR flying is that the “best” route isn’t always obvious.

Terrain, weather, winds, aircraft performance, and alternate airports all influence the decision, and improving one part of the equation often makes another part worse.

That’s the dilemma in this month’s IFR Mastery scenario, “West Coast Direct.”

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?

Before reading any further, watch the free scenario briefing below and decide what you would do.

Learn by thinking like an instrument pilot

IFR Mastery from PilotWorkshops is built around a simple idea: the best way to improve your instrument flying is to work through realistic scenarios before you’re faced with them in the airplane.

Each month, you’ll analyze a new real-world IFR flight, make your decision, and then compare your thinking with experienced instructors during a detailed debrief and roundtable discussion. It’s practical, scenario-based training that develops judgment—not just procedural knowledge.

Subscribers also gain access to a growing library of scenarios, making it easy to keep your instrument skills sharp between flights.

Ready to see how your decision compares?

Watch the free briefing above, then start a free trial to access the complete scenario, instructor analysis, and the full Mastery library.

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

Latest posts by Eric Radtke (see all)

• New IFR Mastery Scenario: Which Risk Will You Accept? - July 10, 2026
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