The Missed Approach Was the Easy Part

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The missed approach was routine. What happened next wasn't. A real-world diversion during a rainy Memorial Day weekend arrival highlights how workload, weather, and multiple acceptable options can quickly challenge even experienced IFR pilots.

Ask the IFR Expert: How much should I trust the forecast?

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IFR cross-country planning depends heavily on weather forecasts, but any instrument pilot knows they’re not perfect. So how much weight should you really put on a forecast when deciding whether to launch, delay, or reroute a flight?

Keep your IFR skills sharp with real-world monthly Mastery scenarios

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Instrument flying proficiency isn’t built from memorizing procedures alone—it comes from regularly exercising your judgment in realistic situations. That’s exactly the goal behind IFR Mastery from PilotWorkshops, now available inside the Sporty’s Pilot Training app.

Practical IFR: Mix and Match

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As an aviation writer, I’m always on the prowl for interesting approach charts (so if you have a favorite, drop me a line). One that recently appeared in my email was the ILS or LOC Rwy 27 at Williamsport, Pennsylvania (KIPT). The striking curiosity was plan view note, “RNAV 1-GPS or RADAR AND DME REQUIRED.” The investigation yielded a longer explanation than I expected. Too bad I don’t get paid by the word.

Quiz: IFR Cross-Country Planning

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IFR cross-country planning pulls together a lot of moving parts—altitudes, airways, terrain, weather requirements, and a careful reading of the regulations and charts that tie it all together. Whether you’re planning a short hop under a busy terminal area or a longer enroute segment over unfamiliar terrain, the decisions you make before departure often matter as much as anything you do in the air.

A New Take on Alternates

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Thunderstorms don’t always follow the forecast, and a traditional IFR alternate may not be enough when plans change quickly. In this article, Elaine Kauh introduces the concept of “safe havens”—a more flexible way to think about diversions that prioritizes options, fuel, and reduced stress in the cockpit.