Practical IFR: Decision Time

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Some decisions don’t allow the luxury of contemplation. Every instrument pilot knows at least one of these decisions in the depths of his or her cloud-flying bones: the missed approach. Making a decision while still descending and a mere 200 feet above the ground (lower for Cat II+) only works because the decision is binary. You see the expected environment and continue—or you don’t and you climb away.

Video Tip: Entering a Hold with ForeFlight Hold Advisor

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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.

February is IFR month at Sporty’s

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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.

Sim Challenge: The Lowdown (IFR)

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In this month's challenge, a short winter flight in Vermont from Rutland (KRUT) to Burlington (KBTV) packs in an IFR procedures workout. It’s also a first-hand look at what cold temperatures can do to your altimeter (and what to do about it).

Instrument Maneuver Spotlight: Intercepting and Tracking GPS Courses

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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.

Ask an IFR Expert: What actually counts towards IFR currency?

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IFR currency seems simple on paper—six approaches every…

Quiz: IFR Arrivals and Departures

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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.

Practical IFR: Understanding the Transitions

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Bozeman Yellowstone International Airport (KBZN) RNAV and ILS…

Video: IFR Cross-Country with Spencer Suderman

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Join CFI-I Spencer Suderman for a real-world IFR cross-country from Jacksonville to Daytona Beach, Florida, flown in a G1000-equipped Cessna 172. From preflight planning and filing in ForeFlight to copying a clearance, flying in the system, and executing an RNAV approach at the destination, this is a complete, end-to-end look at how everyday IFR flying actually works.

The Anti-PIC

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Staying IFR current doesn’t guarantee proficiency. This article explains how to flip the script—putting proficiency first so currency takes care of itself, without the stress of constant IPCs.