IFR Rating

USAFplt

USAFplt

Well-Known Member
Hey guys,
I'm about to embark on my IFR rating before heading to pilot training with the USAF. I figure the experience would definitely give me a heads up. Im doing it at our Air Force base's aero club where I got my PPL which is nice because it is way less expensive than a normal FBO.

I was wondering what all of you out there thought the hardest part of getting the rating was? Ive heard that the holds suck especially in winds etc. Anyhow any and all comments appreciated! Any tips to help me get this rating as fast and smoothly as possible? Thanks! :bandit:
 
IR Tips

I wouldn't say any of it was really hard. It's like anything else - it just takes some dedication and lots of practice. I dreaded all the maneuvers at one time or another but eventually they all just start to fall into place and it all makes sense. When I first got started I'd come back from a lesson and be totally wiped. After a while, though, it does become fun.

Some of the best money I spent was on a cheap SIM set up for my PC. The school I trained at didn't use a sim. So, I splurged and got a copy of IP trainer and a cheap USB yoke/throttle. I didn't use the training mode - just used it in free flight. This was a huge help to be able to go fly an approach or two every evening, do some holds, practice before or after a lesson, etc. You can go practice all kids of approaches and not be limited to what's in your local area, too. Probably cost me a few hours worth or AC rental but it made up for it in the long run... I was much better prepared for the lessons and accomplished lots more in the air.

Good luck with it!
 
The instrument rating is definitely challenging. It will make you a much better pilot. To answer your question though, I think the partial panel approaches are the most difficult part of the rating. That also seems to correspond to real life...as most pilots have a difficult time keeping it right side up after an instrument failure...(at least that's what the NTSB reports say).

When I was giving a lot of IR instruction, I had access to a Frasca Ground Trainer. I would conduct a lot of lessons in the ground trainer before heading to the airplane. I would say it helps a great deal if your syllabus incorporates some type of ground training instrument device.

Good luck and have fun.
 
For me, the book knowledge was the toughest part. Not so much general knowledge like how the instruments work or how weather systems develop, but all the technical minutia there is.

I learned max speeds in holds, VOR service volumes, how the ILS signal works, required reports to ATC in no radar environments, the size of the protected area for different categories of circling approaches, required equipment checks, etc. Tons of stuff that can only be learned by wrote memory. There's no intuitive way to make it make sense. You just have to sit down and memorize.

Otherwise, I thought the rest of the rating was fun. I still think it's pretty sweet to have the option of doing a 0/0 takeoff, flying for hundreds of miles, then getting within 200 feet of the ground without anything except instruments. It's a beautiful, intricate system that opens up tons of possibilities.
 
In my experience as a CFII, I'd have to say the most time was spent teaching holds and NDB approaches. I'd also say that partial panel approaches to PTS standards was the most difficult event for students to master.
 
NDB approaches were a challenge for me. practice practice practice as much as you can. Also if your CFI will allow it, try to get actual. Can't stress how much different it is when your in the soup for real instead of wearing foggles or a hood. Screwed me up royally first time we went into it.
 
this is great guys! I"m really pumped up to start flying IFR. Like mentioned above..it is going to open up a whole new world of flying!! Keep the advice coming! :)
 
I recommend that if you are intent on getting an instrument rating before UPT, that you have your instructor concentrate on the "control and performance" method of instrument flight. Otherwise, you'll be relearning how to fly instruments once you get to UPT. Or, you could save your money and let the AF teach you their way from the start.

BTW, War Eagle!!
 
The instrument rating was certainly my favorite. The only problem is I got a little too hung up on the minutia that ERAU taught. Rather than trying to simply understand the concept and being aggressive in flying the aircraft instead computing what angle of bank to roll into and how to crosscheck that against my turn coordinator... just in case it failed.... Even though it's got a flag... aye carumba.

Long story.

Anyhoo, I'd certainly suggest bugging MikeD because he started out as fully rated civilian pilot that then went to UPT.
 
AFMAN 11-217, Instrument Flight Procedures, is available online and should probably be your reference rather than one of the civilian books. I'm also not sure getting your FAA instrument rating will be all that helpful. The experience will be of definite value, especially if you can fly with someone who knows how instruments are taught in UPT. This doesn't even need to be in an airplane, you could save some $$$ by doing it all in an FTD.

Oh, just so you're aware, at the end of UPT you can apply your military training to FAA certs and get your commercial single (if you flew the T-6) and multiengine (w/centerline thrust restriction if you flew the T-38) instrument airplane.
 
aloft,
Thanks for the links! Im aware that there is no real advantage as far as getting the ticket before UPT to get ahead..I just want to become familiar with the material and plus i'm dying to get flying again (every now and then sunday flying is getting old). I feel it would be a good challenge before I start. A lot of folks have told me to wait as I will be able to get all my tickets at the end of UPT..but I figure this would be fun for a bit and I have an instructor at the aeroclub that was a EuroNato instructor at Sheppard so he knows the drill..I think it will be fun! :) Thanks for all the replies
 
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