Blog Elements : IFR Focus

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Webinar Video: Understanding Vertical Guidance on IFR Approaches with Bruce Williams

July 13, 2026/by IFR Focus Team

Join instructor instructor and IFR Focus contributing author Bruce Williams as he explains the three primary types of vertical guidance used on today’s IFR approaches.

New IFR Mastery Scenario: Which Risk Will You Accept?

July 10, 2026/by Eric Radtke

After an easy VFR flight to Oregon, the return trip home presents a very different picture. Marginal weather has moved in, headwinds have picked up, and every available route comes with tradeoffs. Do you fly direct over the mountains? Follow the airways? Take a longer route with better weather but more challenging terrain? Or simply wait another day?

Webinar Video: Understanding Vertical Guidance on IFR Approaches with Bruce Williams

July 13, 2026/by IFR Focus Team

Join instructor instructor and IFR Focus contributing author Bruce Williams as he explains the three primary types of vertical guidance used on today’s IFR approaches.

New IFR Mastery Scenario: Which Risk Will You Accept?

July 10, 2026/by Eric Radtke

Full Sized Blog Element (Big Preview Pic)

Webinar Video: Understanding Vertical Guidance on IFR Approaches with Bruce Williams

July 13, 2026/by IFR Focus Team

Bruce Williams – Understanding Vertical Guidance

Modern avionics have made it easier than ever to fly stabilized descents on instrument approaches—but only if you understand the different types of vertical guidance available and when you can rely on them.

Join instructor instructor and IFR Focus contributing author Bruce Williams as he explains the three primary types of vertical guidance used on today’s IFR approaches. You’ll learn the differences between approved and advisory vertical guidance, how various avionics systems display each type, and the limitations every instrument pilot should understand before flying the approach.

Based in Seattle, Williams specializes in IFR training, flight simulation, and technically advanced aircraft. In addition to writing for IFR Focus, he is the author of the IFR Tip column for AOPA Pilot and AOPA Flight Training magazines and a contributor to the PilotWorkshops IFR Mastery Series.

New IFR Mastery Scenario: Which Risk Will You Accept?

July 10, 2026/by Eric Radtke

One of the most challenging aspects of IFR flying is that the “best” route isn’t always obvious.

Terrain, weather, winds, aircraft performance, and alternate airports all influence the decision, and improving one part of the equation often makes another part worse.

That’s the dilemma in this month’s IFR Mastery scenario, “West Coast Direct.”

Before reading any further, watch the free scenario briefing below and decide what you would do.

Learn by thinking like an instrument pilot

IFR Mastery from PilotWorkshops is built around a simple idea: the best way to improve your instrument flying is to work through realistic scenarios before you’re faced with them in the airplane.

Each month, you’ll analyze a new real-world IFR flight, make your decision, and then compare your thinking with experienced instructors during a detailed debrief and roundtable discussion. It’s practical, scenario-based training that develops judgment—not just procedural knowledge.

Subscribers also gain access to a growing library of scenarios, making it easy to keep your instrument skills sharp between flights.

Ready to see how your decision compares?

Watch the free briefing above, then start a free trial to access the complete scenario, instructor analysis, and the full Mastery library.

Half Sized Blog Element (Single Author Style)

Half Sized Blog Element (Multi Author Style)

Webinar Video: Understanding Vertical Guidance on IFR Approaches with Bruce Williams

New IFR Mastery Scenario: Which Risk Will You Accept?

Webinar Video: Understanding Vertical Guidance on IFR Approaches with Bruce Williams

New IFR Mastery Scenario: Which Risk Will You Accept?

Full Sized Blog Element (Big Preview Pic)

Webinar Video: Understanding Vertical Guidance on IFR Approaches with Bruce Williams

New IFR Mastery Scenario: Which Risk Will You Accept?

Learn by thinking like an instrument pilot

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