Ask the IFR Expert: How Should I Adjust My Personal Minimums for Winter IFR Flying

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Most pilots think of personal minimums as static numbers, but winter is a reminder that they should be dynamic. Rather than simply raising ceilings and visibility across the board, start by identifying the risks winter uniquely adds—and then build buffers around them.

Instrument Maneuver Spotlight: Circling Approach Procedure

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Few instrument maneuvers require a smoother transition from procedures to judgment than the circling approach. In this spotlight, we’ll break down how to fly a circling approach safely and within standards—maintaining the correct circling altitude, managing wind and aircraft positioning, staying within protected airspace, and knowing exactly when it’s appropriate to leave MDA and descend for landing.

Practical IFR: Departure Alternates

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A departure alternate is an airport and approach you’ll fly if trouble finds you seconds after you enter the clouds. These are required for many commercial operations if the conditions make an IFR return to the departure airport unlikely or impossible. They’re not required for GA, but you should consider making them part of your standard IFR planning.

Quiz: IFR Weather Challenge

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Strong IFR flying starts with strong weather awareness. Take the quiz to see how you stack up.

Fronts, Freezing Levels, and Staying Out of Trouble This Winter

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Winter flying brings a unique set of challenges, especially when it comes to icing. In this article, we break down why warm, occluded, and cold fronts each create their own hazards, how to recognize the early signs of trouble, and how tools like Prog Charts in ForeFlight can help you anticipate weather systems long before they hit your route.

Video Tip: Understanding Ice Protection Systems

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In this IFR Focus video tip, we break down the major types of ice protection found on general aviation aircraft—from classic pneumatic boots to thermal systems and weeping wings—and explain the critical distinction between anti-ice and deice. Just as important, we look at what it actually means for an airplane to be approved for flight in known icing conditions.