Basic attitude instrument flying – the foundation for IFR flight

/
0 Comments
As the complete instrument pilot, you should be able to maintain heading, altitude, and airspeed at speeds ranging from cruise to approach. Within the normal speed range of an airplane, there are many combinations of power and pitch which will maintain altitude at different airspeeds.
Approaches

Mastering Approach Lighting Systems: Key Insights for IFR Pilots

Approach lighting systems are critical during low ceiling and low visibility conditions when you must decide whether to continue to land or execute a missed approach. If when reaching the minimum descent altitude or decision altitude on the approach and you have the approach lights in sight, you are permitted to descend to 100 feet above the touchdown zone elevation published for the runway.

Video Tip: How to perform a self-weather briefing for an IFR flight

The FAA encourages pilots to use the self-briefing technique when checking the weather before each flight. In this video, we'll highlight various sources of weather products you can use and how to ensure you always get a complete briefing.
Clearance

How to get an IFR clearance at a non-towered airport

/
1 Comment
Flying a light airplane offers access to thousands more airports than the airlines serve, which means you can land closer to your destination, avoid long taxi routes, and save time. For an instrument pilot, though, there is one key difference between a smaller, non-towered airport and a larger one with an air traffic control tower: obtaining an IFR clearance.

How to prepare for instrument checkride day

Communication is key to the examiner understanding your thought process and decision making. Checkrides have plenty of emotion and pressure that will hopefully allow you to excel. Don’t bring unnecessary pressure or emotion to the flight by overreaching or trying to do too much. Fly like you’ve trained and be the PIC.

Webinar Video: How to Ace Your FAA Instrument Written

The FAA Instrument Written is the source of plenty of angst and stress for IFR pilots. But not to worry as this webinar presentation we'll show you how to use reliable study methods and advanced learning features within Sporty's Instrument Rating Course, including Aviation Intelligence℠ (AI).

An actual instrument approach to minimums

During your instrument training, you routinely fly instrument approach procedures to “minimums” under simulated conditions. The more likely scenario when flying under instrument flight rules (IFR) is the option to complete the flight under visual flight rules (VFR), flying a visual approach procedure, or flying an instrument procedure in which you acquire the runway visually well above the charted “minimums.”

IFR Holding Procedures Explained: A Pilot’s Guide to Holding Patterns

Maximum holding speeds in knots indicated airspeed (KIAS) have been designated for specific altitude ranges. Often pilots can avoid flying a holding pattern or reduce the length of time spent in the holding pattern, by slowing down on the way to the holding fix.

Webinar Video: Home Simulation For IFR Training and Proficiency—a Pilot’s Perspective

Today's flight simulators offer more versatility and feasibility to instrument flight rules training than ever expected. Join Sporty's, Chris McGonegle, as he covers how to build and feature set an at home flight simulator tailored towards instrument flying.
IFR

Transitioning to IFR flying with an Instrument Rating

An Instrument Rating will provide more freedom, confidence, and utility for your Private Pilot certificate as you no longer limited to VFR conditions. Not only will you have the skills and confidence for flying in more diverse weather conditions, and solely by reference to instruments, but instrument flying will introduce more precise flying.