Video Tip: Cruise Clearance

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One of the most misunderstood clearances in instrument flying is the cruise clearance, which gives pilots more freedom than a standard “maintain” altitude assignment. In this video tip, we’ll break down what a cruise clearance really means, how it changes your responsibilities in the cockpit, and when you can take advantage of this unique tool to simplify your flight.

Off-Route IFR Altitudes: Why OROCA Isn’t Enough

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OROCAs are often misunderstood as a “safe” minimum altitude for IFR flight—but they’re not regulatory and don’t meet IFR obstacle clearance requirements. Here’s how to determine the correct minimum altitude when flying off-route, and why it matters.

Instrument Maneuver Spotlight: Missed Approach from a Circling

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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.

IFR Challenge: Anticipation Near Anaheim—Enter for a Chance to Win a $1,000 Sporty’s Gift Card

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In this sample IFR Mastery scenario, you're in the cockpit of a pilot flying a Trinidad on a short IFR trip in Southern California. Cleared on a TEC route, the departure includes a turn to the PDZ VOR—but stronger winds increase groundspeed and trigger early GPS turn anticipation. With the airplane ready to turn before the fix and no contact with ATC, you’re forced to make a quick decision.

Practial IFR: Have a Speed-to-Fly for Emergencies in IMC

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One refinement that rarely gets taught is adjusting best glide speed (Vbg) for changes in weight and wind. In a glider, if you’re heading back to the airport with a headwind, you can’t just open the throttle to make up for lost groundspeed. Instead, you pitch down to speed up. A lot. In fact, you might add 20 knots to your best glide (L/Dmax) speed to counter a 20-knot headwind.

Quiz: IFR Emergencies

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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.

The IFR Emergency You Didn’t Train For

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When most pilots think about IFR emergencies, the mind immediately jumps to the big ones: engine failures, engine fires, pressurization issues—high-consequence events that dominate simulator sessions and recurrent training. We rehearse these scenarios repeatedly, building muscle memory and confidence that if something catastrophic happens, we’ll respond correctly. But in the real world, not every emergency announces itself with sirens and smoke.

Video Tip: Required IFR Reports

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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.

Why Advisory Glideslope +V Can Get You in Trouble

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On WAAS-equipped GPS units, many non-precision approaches (like LNAV or LP) will display LNAV+V or LP+V. That “+V” indicates advisory vertical guidance—an internally generated glidepath from the final approach fix (FAF) to the runway. It’s designed to help you fly a continuous descent final approach—a safer, more stabilized alternative to the old “dive and drive” technique. That’s the good news.

Try These New FAA Questions

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How well do you really know your instrument flying procedures? Here are 5 of the newest FAA-style questions, recently added to Sporty’s comprehensive online Instrument Rating Course. They’re designed to make you think like an IFR pilot—whether you’re prepping for a rating or just keeping your skills sharp.