Instrument Rating - FIRST step

RalphInCA

RalphInCA

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RalphInCA
I am going to start pursuing my instrument rating right after the new year.

What should be my FIRST step?

Buying the Sporty's or King video series (I used King for my PPL, and liked that method of learning - I'm not good with just learning from a book.)

Or start the process with a CFI?
 
Pass the test while you look for the right cfi and plane (in that order, assuming you rent). You'll pass the test within a week with Sheppard Air, and more importantly you can study all the FAA manuals and know what are you getting into.
 
Pass written, and fly a lot with flight following. Know all your avionics(530 etc.)
 
RalphInCA said:
We don't have much winter here, but I guess you are saying pass the written first, before getting serious with a CFI?
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You don't have to, but a 90%+ on the written is a big load off of your shoulders, so you can focus on learning to fly IFR...
 
Badger said:
Pass written, and fly a lot with flight following. Know all your avionics(530 etc.)
Click to expand...

I forgot this one, I recommend this to any Private Pilot that wants to get IFR someday. It really does help, and you can tell a big difference when training them.
 
You can also start looking at the Instrument Flying Handbook online for free on the FAA website. I would also listen to liveatc or something similar and listen to IFR communications.
 
Everyone's different, but having done this not too long ago my advice would be to pass the written first. Unless the test has changed in the last 12 months, there are quite a few questions on the written that don't really apply to real world instrument flying. Being able to put that stuff out of your mind will free up space for all of the other stuff you're about to learn as you drink from the proverbial fire hose. Once that's out of the way, I would do the following things (not necessarily in a particular order and some can be done in parallel):

* Start saving/budgeting money (not having to wait for funds will streamline the process)

* Find a CFII/plane combo that will work for your finances and schedule

* Learn the basic knowledge on your own (watch the Sportys DVDs, read the Instrument Flying Handbook, etc). This will pay by giving you some background and potentially saving on ground instruction time/expense. You can get anything that has you stumped explained by an instructor (or ask here).

* Get flight following as often as possible (it'll get you more comfortable on the radio and will get you "in the system" more often)

* After learning about CRAFT, listen to LiveATC Clearance Delivery frequencies and practice copying clearances

* Determine pitch and power settings for various profiles in the aircraft you'll be flying. More info: http://www.pilotsofamerica.com/forum/showthread.php?t=49434 (This one might be better done with an instructor as you might not know what speeds to shoot for in your particular plane, but it probably doesn't hurt to go through the exercise to learn what different pitch/power settings will give you.)
 
If you have a IFR GPS in the plane you will be using (like a 430), get a training course for that GPS and learn the device inside and out BEFORE you start flying for IFR training. If all you know before starting is Direct Enter Enter you will be behind the curve ball and be paying aircraft rental rate and instructor time to learn it in flight!

And I agree with using FF EVERYWHERE while VFR from before departure to landing to hone your radio skills. Since you are in So Cal, go fly through LAX Bravo on a few different published transitions VFR and on FF. That will help get you more comfortable on the radio!

I got my written 100% outta the way before I started any flying for both my PPL and IFR and glad I did!
 
No No No

Go out on a cloudy day preferably overcast.
Climb up in the first layer so you cannot see anything.

People will advise against this but you are PIC not them?
Best thing to do is get on flight following and no matter what they point out to you, tell them you got it in sight. Helps to even complain about the visibility being so awesome that your brain can't process all the information you are getting from your eyes.

"cloudstomper niner victor tango you have a Mooney 2 miles out 12 o clock same altitude opposite direction"

Your response "Oh yes, I know I was actually just about to call you and give you the heads up"

Now turn. Steep turn as quick as possible and climb quickly because that plane will hit you either 90 degrees or 270. That decision is up to you you are the pilot.

Level off quickly and fly straight.

If you see lightning, fly toward it because there won't be a lot of other planes to worry about near it and you have an "IFR Practice area" all to yourself. If you can't find lightning, look on foreflight for a TFR.

Practice turns, stalls, and unusual attitudes.

NUMBER ONE MOST IMPORTANT THING: Keep an eye on your fuel gauge. If you run out of fuel and crash people are going to Monday morning quarterback your very safe IFR training flight and talk about how you are not safe because you didn't plan fuel well.

After you are done practicing in the clouds, you are going to want to go home.
Start by getting really low and turning off your transponder (just a formality common on IFR flights) get lower and lower until you see the ground.

Now try to find a road that you recognize. Once you find it, hopefully you remembered to bring your Mapsco. That will get you back home.

I promise no CFI is going to tell you to do all that because they want your money but if you go do that a few times you will be golden.

Just remember Clouds are in the sky. So if you are in a cloud, you are in the sky.
That is exactly where you want to be in a plane. The sky.

Like my CFI told me the day before he crashed into a mountain and died
"It's just flying. and you are a pilot right?"
 
SixPapaCharlie said:
No No No

Go out on a cloudy day preferably overcast.
Climb up in the first layer so you cannot see anything.

People will advise against this but you are PIC not them?
Best thing to do is get on flight following and no matter what they point out to you, tell them you got it in sight. Helps to even complain about the visibility being so awesome that your brain can't process all the information you are getting from your eyes.

"cloudstomper niner victor tango you have a Mooney 2 miles out 12 o clock same altitude opposite direction"

Your response "Oh yes, I know I was actually just about to call you and give you the heads up"

Now turn. Steep turn as quick as possible and climb quickly because that plane will hit you either 90 degrees or 270. That decision is up to you you are the pilot.

Level off quickly and fly straight.

If you see lightning, fly toward it because there won't be a lot of other planes to worry about near it and you have an "IFR Practice area" all to yourself. If you can't find lightning, look on foreflight for a TFR.

Practice turns, stalls, and unusual attitudes.

NUMBER ONE MOST IMPORTANT THING: Keep an eye on your fuel gauge. If you run out of fuel and crash people are going to Monday morning quarterback your very safe IFR training flight and talk about how you are not safe because you didn't plan fuel well.

After you are done practicing in the clouds, you are going to want to go home.
Start by getting really low and turning off your transponder (just a formality common on IFR flights) get lower and lower until you see the ground.

Now try to find a road that you recognize. Once you find it, hopefully you remembered to bring your Mapsco. That will get you back home.

I promise no CFI is going to tell you to do all that because they want your money but if you go do that a few times you will be golden.

Just remember Clouds are in the sky. So if you are in a cloud, you are in the sky.
That is exactly where you want to be in a plane. The sky.

Like my CFI told me the day before he crashed into a mountain and died
"It's just flying. and you are a pilot right?"
Click to expand...

How are those pain pills? And may I please have some? ;)
 
RalphInCA said:
Ummm... Thanks 6PC..... I think....
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Anytime. Stick with me and you will be doing all sorts of flying other pilots wish they could do.

Just let me know when you are ready for your tailwheel endorsement.
Bag of cement in the baggage compartment BOOM! Taildragger!
 
For what its worth, I am in the same boat.
I took 1 flight just to fly and I have another scheduled in Dec

In the meantime, I have purchased the gleim OGS and I am studying for the written.
 
I think the instrument rating is more book learning than actual hands on learning like the private. I did the written before I even started flying for the instrument rating and I think it helped out tremendously. I read the instrument flying/instrument procedures handbooks cover to cover then took the written. Sheppard Air will get you done quick with the written. I did it with the ATP and loved it.
 
John and Martha will get you through the test. If you liked them for your Private, the Instrument will be more of the same. I still hear Martha going "Localizer Darn Angle approach" in the back of my brain. (In the spirit of disclosure, I have dinner with them once a year and they've been to my house once). You may wish to do some additional reading to actually learn some of the additional brain work of actually flying. There are some pretty good ones out there. The Peter Dogan book is excellent (and it's the one PIC uses which is why I have two copies). Trevor Thom's book isn't bad either.

As for flying, you're pretty much wasting your time if you're not in a program with a definite syllabus. I can tell you that for sure after spending decades in on again and off again instrument flight training. If you can take the intensity, the Professional Instrument Courses program that I did is excellent (C'Ron is an instructor for them, but wasn't available the week I wanted to do it, but I got another great guy out of Tennessee). If you want to spread it out a little more for your style, there are still lots of options. I do suggest you get on a regular schedule though. Getting haphazard about it means you're not really building on your previous lessons but just pretty much starting over each time you go in.
 
flyingron said:
John and Martha will get you through the test.
Click to expand...
Not everyone can sit through their videos. Some folks love 'em, some folks hate 'em, some folks fall asleep. The choice of method for learning the knowledge test material is very individual and depends on one's own learning style. Some do best with lecture-type videos like the Kings, some with books like Bob Gardner's Complete Advanced Pilot, some with interactive computer-based training like Jeppesen's Flite School programs, and some with good old-fashioned classroom training. Figure your own best learning style, then select a learning method that fits your style.
 
Although dated the Sporty videos seem packed with information. I might end up watching them a 2nd or 3rd time.. tons of information.
 
I like the King's as people. They've done a lot for aviation and have taught a lot of people how to fly. However, the IR course is a mish-mash of segments from all era's. One of them might be a clip from the late 80's with Martha's wild fro, then the next segment is obviously 30 years later. It gets pretty distracting. Also, the graphics are very dated. I wish they'd redo all of them from scratch so it's not so jarring.
 
stratobee said:
I like the King's as people. They've done a lot for aviation and have taught a lot of people how to fly. However, the IR course is a mish-mash of segments from all era's. One of them might be a clip from the late 80's with Martha's wild fro, then the next segment is obviously 30 years later. It gets pretty distracting. Also, the graphics are very dated. I wish they'd redo all of them from scratch so it's not so jarring.
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My favorite is when something has changed so they just do a voice over for part of it. 1980's John is on the screen talking and suddenly 2000s John pipes in badly edited over his original dialogue. They are entertaining though.
 
Ron Levy said:
Not everyone can sit through their videos.
Click to expand...

Correct, but the OP used them for his private with success which is why I made that caveat in the next sentence which you intentionally disregarded and deleted.
 
Do Both at the same time.

RalphInCA said:
I am going to start pursuing my instrument rating right after the new year.

What should be my FIRST step?

Buying the Sporty's or King video series (I used King for my PPL, and liked that method of learning - I'm not good with just learning from a book.)

Or start the process with a CFI?
Click to expand...
 
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