Blog Elements : IFR Focus

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New Resource Helps Demystify the Instrument Checkride—and the IPC

June 9, 2026/by Eric Radtke

The ACS clearly define what applicants must know and demonstrate, but they often leave students wondering how those standards are actually evaluated. To help bridge that gap, PilotWorkshops has introduced Checkride Insights: Instrument Rating, a new training resource that adds practical context and examiner perspectives directly alongside the ACS.

Video Tip: CAPERS—The Modern IFR Fix-Crossing Check

June 5, 2026/by Pilot Workshops

CAPERS is a modern framework that helps you stay ahead of the airplane by reviewing the most important elements of the flight whenever you’re crossing a fix, receiving a new clearance, or transitioning to a new phase of flight.

New Resource Helps Demystify the Instrument Checkride—and the IPC

June 9, 2026/by Eric Radtke

Video Tip: CAPERS—The Modern IFR Fix-Crossing Check

June 5, 2026/by Pilot Workshops

Full Sized Blog Element (Big Preview Pic)

New Resource Helps Demystify the Instrument Checkride—and the IPC

June 9, 2026/by Eric Radtke

For many instrument rating applicants, preparing for the checkride can feel like drinking from a firehose. The FAA’s Airman Certification Standards (ACS) clearly define what applicants must know, consider, and demonstrate, but they often leave students wondering how those standards are actually evaluated during the practical test.

To help bridge that gap, PilotWorkshops has introduced Checkride Insights: Instrument Rating, a new training resource that adds practical context and examiner perspectives directly alongside the ACS.

While the guide is designed for instrument rating applicants, it also includes a dedicated section on the Instrument Proficiency Check (IPC), making it a valuable resource for already-rated instrument pilots looking to regain IFR currency. Since IPCs are based on many of the same ACS standards used during an instrument checkride, the examiner insights and practical guidance apply equally well to pilots preparing for either evaluation.

The publication uses a simple but powerful format: the official ACS appears on one side of the page, while annotations from chief instructors, check airmen, and designated pilot examiners (DPEs) appear alongside the relevant standards. These notes explain how tasks are typically evaluated, identify common mistakes, and highlight areas where applicants often struggle.

See an Annotated ACS Task

Wondering what makes Checkride Insights different?

Download a free sample featuring the Precision Approach task and see how DPE comments, instructor guidance, and practical explanations are integrated directly into the ACS.

Get the sample PDF »

Rather than encouraging applicants to memorize ACS elements, the guide focuses on understanding how the standards are applied in real-world IFR flying. Topics range from flight planning and weather analysis to instrument approaches, missed approaches, and cockpit workload management.

One of the most valuable aspects of the guide is its ability to provide context. An ACS requirement may seem straightforward on paper, but the accompanying notes reveal the types of scenarios, follow-up questions, and decision-making discussions that frequently arise during both the oral exam and flight portion of a practical evaluation.

For IFR Focus readers, the IPC content may be especially valuable. Whether you’re preparing for an initial instrument rating, returning to instrument flying after a lapse in currency, or simply looking to sharpen your IFR skills, understanding how the ACS is applied in a practical evaluation can make training more focused and effective.

The result is a study resource designed to help pilots prepare more efficiently, reduce anxiety, and develop a deeper understanding of the standards they’ll be expected to meet.

Checkride Insights: Instrument Rating is available in both digital and spiral-bound print formats and can be used as a companion to traditional instrument training materials and the FAA ACS.

As instrument pilots know, success during a checkride—or an IPC—isn’t just about knowing the standards. It’s about understanding how to apply them in realistic situations. Resources that provide that additional context can make preparation more practical, efficient, and ultimately more successful.

Video Tip: CAPERS—The Modern IFR Fix-Crossing Check

June 5, 2026/by Pilot Workshops

Many instrument pilots learned the classic “5 Ts” as a way to stay organized when crossing a fix: Turn, Time, Twist, Throttle, and Talk. While that checklist still has value, today’s GPS-equipped cockpits call for a broader scan of the airplane’s status and your overall flight plan. That’s where the CAPERS check comes in—a modern framework that helps you stay ahead of the airplane by reviewing the most important elements of the flight whenever you’re crossing a fix, receiving a new clearance, or transitioning to a new phase of flight.

CAPERS Checklist

C — Course: Verify the next course to fly and ensure the correct navigation source is in use.
A — Altitude: Confirm your current and upcoming altitude requirements.
P — Profile: Verify the correct pitch, power and configuration profile required.
E — Estimated Time: Verify the estimated time to the next fix and a quick situational check.
R — Radios: Talk to ATC or on the CTAF as needed.
S — Safety and Switches: Review aircraft systems, lights, fuel, and other critical items.

Half Sized Blog Element (Single Author Style)

Half Sized Blog Element (Multi Author Style)

New Resource Helps Demystify the Instrument Checkride—and the IPC

Video Tip: CAPERS—The Modern IFR Fix-Crossing Check

New Resource Helps Demystify the Instrument Checkride—and the IPC

Video Tip: CAPERS—The Modern IFR Fix-Crossing Check

Full Sized Blog Element (Big Preview Pic)

New Resource Helps Demystify the Instrument Checkride—and the IPC

See an Annotated ACS Task

Video Tip: CAPERS—The Modern IFR Fix-Crossing Check

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