Is there a non-boring IFR trainer?

jd21476

jd21476

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jd21476
I've been studying for my IFR written exam and my instructor recommended the "Rod Machado's Instrument Pilot Handbook" I have made it all the way through Chapter 3 and to be honest it is sooooooo boring I cant seem to pick it up. Yes, it is thorough but I cant read another corny joke and I want something more immersive. Are there any online programs that have videos or something like that? I have the Sheppards as well and that is simply a memorization tool with a bunch of questions. What else is there?
 
You'll get mostly the same old suggestions here. I liked my Sporty's online course. The videos were short enough to keep my attention. It did a great job of explaining the basics of the system. You'll still need Sheppard for the written, but I have gone back and watched it multiple times and get a little bit more out of it each time.
 
Make up a drinking game with Machado’s books.

Immerse yourself in the FAA pubs.

find a good instructor and pay him lots of money.
 
jd21476 said:
I've been studying for my IFR written exam and my instructor recommended the "Rod Machado's Instrument Pilot Handbook" I have made it all the way through Chapter 3 and to be honest it is sooooooo boring I cant seem to pick it up. Yes, it is thorough but I cant read another corny joke and I want something more immersive. Are there any online programs that have videos or something like that? I have the Sheppards as well and that is simply a memorization tool with a bunch of questions. What else is there?
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To answer the title of the thread - Nope.
 
Maybe cough up a few bucks and get his, or another instructional video. I am not one to learn by reading. But audio and visual I can learn it easily and it’s not as dry and boring.
 
Redbird FMX is legal to log time in (20hrs?) It’s full motion and can rent for as low as $30/hr.
 
IR training is very procedural and to some may be considered... boring. Understand the procedures. Follow instructions. Copy stuff down. Read stuff back. Know what to do if you can't communicate. Know what the procedures are for holding, departing, arriving, approaching... Understand weather in depth... These may not be exciting concepts for you, in general.

Personally, I found it all very interesting and I immersed myself in it. But to some, it could be boring. Not sure if there are any videos or books out there that will make the same subject material any more exciting.

Well... John and Martha, tho. Those two... I could watch those videos over and over again.... Just for the humor. Love those two.

Seriously though, maybe get the Sporty's videos. I had them. Didn't do much for me, but maybe they will help you. They aren't action packed, but maybe a little more engaging than reading the Instrument Procedures Handbook... And Rob Reider does have a smoooooth voice.
 
Just get this. Don't worry about "studying". Just take the practice tests. Every question you miss, go back and read the correct answer. Then take the practice test again.

Eventually, you'll find there's only 2 or 3 areas you're having the most problems with. You can narrow the test focus on just those areas.

I've studied for several "body-of-knowledge" type tests this way and done very well. And, I think my knowledge retention is at at least as good as it would be taking formal sit-down class room instruction.
 
Check out Pilot Insititute's IFR course. I did that and Greg is great. Passed with ease.
 
Answer: Yes.....Actual

My CFII (Lyle Flick, Flick's Foggy Flying) told me I had to subtract all simulator time from my logbook!
 
Trogdor said:
Check out Pilot Insititute's IFR course. I did that and Greg is great. Passed with ease.
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I was looking at this program because I like the idea if watching videos. Has anyone else used this?
 
jd21476 said:
I was looking at this program because I like the idea if watching videos. Has anyone else used this?
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FWIW, I took his 107, PPL, and IFR courses. They are all great: Well-presented, current, and prepared me for all three tests.
 
texasclouds said:
King schools, Mmmmmarthaaaaa!!!!
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Did I tell you about the drinking game I made up to use when watching King Schools videos?

Each time John walks back in frame and his bald spot has changed size, take a drink.

Take two if there is multiple size changes within the same 5-8 minute video lesson.
 
kgruber said:
Answer: Yes.....Actual

My CFII (Lyle Flick, Flick's Foggy Flying) told me I had to subtract all simulator time from my logbook!
Click to expand...

Can't count it as PIC or flying time, but if you have the right simulator you can certainly log approaches.
 
The answer to the OP is no.
Sorry
It's a slog
 
Machado is great in person. So... I bought his book. It is very thorough.... but the humor isn't funny in the book, and it takes up a TON of space. I'm like the original poster... I made it well into chapter 3, then just gave up. Every now and then I go back to it, and there really IS a lot of great detail and tips if you can wade through humor that isn't funny (nothing against Rod.. like I said, he's great in person), ...but I just can't. I find the FAA publications more useful, to be honest.

Wait... did I just say something nice about a government publication?

I need to lie down... after a scotch...
 
I have all of Rod’s books and they are *very good* but it is VERY hard to read them in one sitting due to his “humor”. I don’t mind a wise crack in a few places but it is WAY over the top most of the time (and completely unnecessary).

Basically, Rod has never learned the expression, “too much of a good thing”.

But as @MuseChaser mentioned, Rod is a great CFI and his books are full of pilot gold if you are willing to ignore the humor bits.
 
Let's be real. 80% of IFR is understanding rules, regulations, equipment, and procedures. There are texts which can make it easier (or harder) to learn but just so many ways to make texts about that more interesting for the student who isn't that interested in that piece.
 
I bought this used for $15 off of eBay and it is a good read. My IFR instructor insisted I get it. Wasn’t the 13th edition but is the same stuff sans minor updates.

aaebcbbcb87d8cfe9fe57952907f740c.jpg
 
jd21476 said:
I've been studying for my IFR written exam and my instructor recommended the "Rod Machado's Instrument Pilot Handbook" I have made it all the way through Chapter 3 and to be honest it is sooooooo boring I cant seem to pick it up. Yes, it is thorough but I cant read another corny joke and I want something more immersive. Are there any online programs that have videos or something like that? I have the Sheppards as well and that is simply a memorization tool with a bunch of questions. What else is there?
Click to expand...

Im in the same situation, working on the Instrument knowledge test. Here is what I have done and make a few points.
There's a difference between getting a video Instrument ground school and focusing on getting prepped to take and pass the knowledge test.
I have the Machado Ultimate IFR collection; Gleim Instrument Pilot FAA Knowledge Test Prep 2021 ed; FAR/AIM 2021 ed; ASAPilot Manual 3 Instrument Flying (which i do not like at all, sad I bought it); Gleim Instument Pilot Practical Test; and Henny Solloman Mastering Instrument Flying(a good older book of practical IFR flying knowledge).
Gleim's Instrument Ground school is just videos of narrators reading Gleim Instrument Pilot FAA Knowledge Test Prep almost verbatim.
Sporty's looks pretty good but I didn't want to shell out another $250
Machado's Utimate IFR comes with a lot of videos that are very helpful in understanding Instrument procedures if you can stand his ridiculous attempts at humor. (see his site for the details)
I watched them first, then when back and did the Gleim chapters in the test prep book.
I did pay the add'l $69 to get Gleim's test prep online so I can get the test endorsement since I have not yet selected a CFII. So I study the book, then go take Gleims tests for each chapter online.
After you answer all the questions, it generates the endorsement.
Full disclosure, I was an AF navigator for 26 years and an aircraft systems engineer, so, my uptake is aided by that. Your mileage will vary depending on who much you immerse yourself in the background of what's in the test material.
So, don't expect to get everything out of a video course. As far as I know, one doesn't exist. (Maybe Sportys??) There's a lot of book knowledge to gain as well, or, at least, the knowledge of where to go find it when you don't have it.
So for me, I'd say Gleim is pure test material in the most reduced form, where Machado was explaining principles in video behind but not teaching the test material. (By the way, Machado is reading his IFR survival book in many of his videos, but his video illustrations are good and you will learn.
Best of Luck! Jim
 
TxJim said:
Im in the same situation, working on the Instrument knowledge test. Here is what I have done and make a few points.
There's a difference between getting a video Instrument ground school and focusing on getting prepped to take and pass the knowledge test.
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A very important distinction. Too often, people equate ground school with written test prep. A comprehensive ground school should do so much more and cover everything from the written test to the check ride.
 
wilkersk said:
Eventually, you'll find there's only 2 or 3 areas you're having the most problems with.
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Oh, I will have to challenge you on that. If only there were just 2-3 areas that I'm having problems with.

Lately I just feel worn out, so doing something productive like studying isn't in the cards. Could it be the 60 hours weeks at work? Nah...
 
Downside of WFH - if I were in the office, the 10-12 hrs of meetings each week (on a slow week) would be in various conference rooms, face to face. But not now. So it's 9-10 hrs of sitting in front of the computer daily (software engineer). When the day is over, or when I can't stand it anymore (such as today, I bailed out at 7 hrs) I really do not want to sit in front of the computer or read anything on the tablet. I want to be as far away from a computer as possible. Hence the motivation to study is pretty close to nil.
 
Short answer, no.

I used Kings to fill up my note book of things to know, and drilled using the GoldMethod. For me it was a harder test than the PPL written. The average scores are in the low 80's, and that average is from those who are already PPL's, vs the average for the PPL written which is built from those who don't go on to finish getting a license. You're essentially an upper classman with fewer fellow students taking harder classes vs those who flunked out freshman year.
 
guzziguy said:
Sheppard
Very effective
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Truth. I used it for the written. It isn't not boring. But it works. It really really works. I got a 100% on the written, and I ain't no one of those geeeeenus types neither no how.

(keep in mind I also did all the stuff I posted above and then some to also ace the practical...)
 
YooperMooney said:
I bought this used for $15 off of eBay and it is a good read. My IFR instructor insisted I get it. Wasn’t the 13th edition but is the same stuff sans minor updates.

aaebcbbcb87d8cfe9fe57952907f740c.jpg
Click to expand...


I did the same exact thing (regarding eBay, 13th edition too).
 
jd21476 said:
I've been studying for my IFR written exam and my instructor recommended the "Rod Machado's Instrument Pilot Handbook" I have made it all the way through Chapter 3 and to be honest it is sooooooo boring I cant seem to pick it up. Yes, it is thorough but I cant read another corny joke and I want something more immersive. Are there any online programs that have videos or something like that? I have the Sheppards as well and that is simply a memorization tool with a bunch of questions. What else is there?
Click to expand...

How's the study coming?
I used Gleim mock tests (paid fee with course to get the endorsement online) and took King tests over and over on the net (free).
I'm taking the IRA knowledge test this Thursday afternoon, only 25 years after I first started it :smilewinkgrin:
Jim
 
TxJim said:
How's the study coming?
I used Gleim mock tests (paid fee with course to get the endorsement online) and took King tests over and over on the net (free).
I'm taking the IRA knowledge test this Thursday afternoon, only 25 years after I first started it :smilewinkgrin:
Jim
Click to expand...

Wow Jim, you have me beat. I'm taking it next Wednesday, 7 years after starting the studying.
 
I watched several IFR knowledge videos, read at least one textbook and skimmed through another, read tons of guides, learned how to actually fly IFR approaches/holds/etc and read all the charts/symbols from a CFII. Yet for me it all came down to taking practice tests on shepherd air for hours, grinding away trying to bulk memorize all the minutia.

The IFR written is a miserable slog and for most of us the hardest part of getting that rating. The good news is compared the written everything else about it is pretty fun and easy.
 
QUOTE="cowman, post: 3066541, member: 12298"]
The IFR written is a miserable slog and for most of us the hardest part of getting that rating. The good news is compared the written everything else about it is pretty fun and easy.[/QUOTE]

Looking forward to you being right about the rest being "easy" :yes:
 
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