The IFR Focus Team is made up of experienced flight instructors, professional pilots, and editors dedicated to helping instrument pilots sharpen their skills. Drawing on decades of real-world flying and teaching experience, the team curates practical tips, training resources, and scenario-based content to make IFR flying safer and more enjoyable.
Few scenarios demand quicker thinking than a missed approach from a circling approach. You’re low, close to the airport, and transitioning from visual references back to instruments all while not aligned with the runway. In this spotlight, we’ll show you how to execute the maneuver smoothly and within standards.
This quiz explores key concepts around IFR emergencies, from deviations and communication failures to fuel status and how situations are classified. Some of these questions are straightforward, while others highlight the nuance in how regulations are applied in real-world scenarios. See how well you understand the procedures that keep pilots safe when the unexpected happens.
Even in an era of advanced avionics and near-constant radar coverage, IFR flying still depends on clear, timely communication with ATC. Some reports are expected as part of the normal flow of a flight, but others are specifically required. In this video tip, we’ll break down the key IFR reports every pilot needs to know, including when to speak up, what to say, and how these calls help keep the system running safely and efficiently.
Whether you’re joining an airway, flying direct, or correcting for wind en route to the next fix, this maneuver is at the core of traditional IFR navigation. In this spotlight, we’ll break down how to properly tune and identify the VOR, set the desired radial, choose an appropriate intercept angle, and smoothly transition to accurate tracking
Modern IFR flying relies heavily on GPS, but that doesn’t mean the fundamentals of IFR navigation have gone away. Between NOTAMs about GPS interference, legacy ground-based navaids, and the occasional ATC instruction that references victor airways or VOR radials, instrument pilots still need a solid understanding of how the entire navigation system works.
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 webinar video dives into exactly how to do that.
If weather or an ATC delay requires you to fly a holding pattern, you can use ForeFlight’s Hold Advisor feature to add the details of the hold to the flight plan. If you receive a clearance to hold at a waypoint currently entered in your flight plan, tap that waypoint ID in the Route Editor and select the Hold function.
Sporty’s is celebrating IFR Month this February with special savings, expert guidance, and a full lineup of IFR webinars, articles, videos, and quizzes. From training and proficiency tips to limited-time deals on IFR courses and gear, it’s all about helping pilots get current and fly with more confidence.
Whether you’re joining an airway, flying a feeder route, or correcting for wind en route to the next fix, this maneuver sits at the heart of modern IFR flying. In this spotlight, we’ll break down how to properly set up the GPS, select and intercept the desired course, manage intercept angles, and smoothly transition from interception to accurate course tracking—while staying well within standards.
Arrivals and departures are where IFR flying shifts from procedure memorization to real chart interpretation. This quiz challenges you to read SIDs and STARs the way they’re actually used—identifying transitions, understanding altitude requirements, and knowing what to do when things don’t go as planned. The answers are all on the chart, but only if you know where (and how) to look.
