Instrument Flight Training Course

Lesson 1 • Aerodynamics in IMC Conditions

Reviews lift, drag, and stability concepts as they apply to flight in instrument meteorological conditions. Provides the aerodynamic foundation for attitude instrument flying.

Lesson 2 • IFR Regulatory Framework Overview

Covers pilot certification, currency requirements, and airspace rules governing IFR flight. Anchors all subsequent training in the applicable operational standards.

Lesson 3 • Spatial Disorientation and Human Factors

Examines vestibular illusions, sensory conflicts, and cognitive biases that degrade pilot performance. Builds awareness essential for safe instrument scan development.

Lesson 1 • Attitude Indicator Mastery

Teaches pitch and bank interpretation using the attitude indicator as the primary control reference. Establishes the central role of this instrument in the scan hierarchy.

Lesson 2 • Heading and Turn Coordination

Explains magnetic compass errors, heading indicator use, and coordinated turn execution. Builds the directional control skills required for all IFR maneuvering.

Lesson 3 • Airspeed and Altimeter Interpretation

Covers indicated, calibrated, and true airspeed concepts alongside altimeter setting procedures. Connects accurate readings to safe altitude and speed management.

Lesson 1 • Partial Panel Flying Techniques

Practices attitude control after simulated gyroscopic instrument failure using remaining instruments. Prepares pilots for the most demanding instrument failure scenario.

Lesson 2 • Climbs and Descents on Instruments

Covers entry, maintenance, and level-off procedures for climbs and descents at specified rates. Reinforces power-attitude-trim coordination in the instrument environment.

Lesson 3 • Unusual Attitude Recovery

Trains recognition and recovery from nose-high and nose-low unusual attitudes using instruments. Develops the rapid, correct control response critical to IMC safety.

Lesson 4 • Straight-and-Level Flight by Instruments

Establishes pitch and bank control techniques to maintain altitude and heading without visual reference. Forms the baseline skill for all subsequent instrument maneuvers.

Lesson 1 • VOR Navigation Fundamentals

Explains VOR signal structure, course deviation indicator use, and radial interception techniques. Provides the foundational navigation skill required before GPS and RNAV training.

Lesson 2 • IFR Route Planning and Filing

Teaches preferred route selection, alternate airport requirements, and fuel planning for IFR flights. Integrates navigation system knowledge into complete preflight planning.

Lesson 3 • GPS and RNAV Operations

Covers GPS signal integrity, RAIM requirements, and flight management system route programming. Connects modern navigation capability to IFR route and approach execution.

Lesson 4 • Enroute Chart Interpretation

Develops fluency in reading low- and high-altitude enroute charts, MEAs, and airway structure. Supports accurate route planning and situational awareness during IFR flight.

Lesson 1 • Departure and Enroute ATC Procedures

Covers departure clearance compliance, frequency changes, position reporting, and enroute amendments. Builds the procedural fluency required for smooth IFR flight progression.

Lesson 2 • IFR Clearance Interpretation and Readback

Decodes standard IFR clearance format and practices accurate readback of all clearance elements. Establishes communication discipline as the foundation for ATC coordination.

Lesson 3 • Holding Pattern Procedures

Develops holding pattern entry selection, timing, and ATC coordination for published and assigned holds. Builds the procedural skill required for delay management in IFR operations.

Lesson 4 • Arrival and Approach ATC Coordination

Trains STAR compliance, approach clearance receipt, and tower coordination during arrivals. Connects ATC communication skills to the high-workload approach phase.

Lesson 1 • Icing Hazards and Avoidance

Identifies structural icing types, conditions, and aircraft certification levels for flight in icing. Trains pilots to recognize, avoid, and escape icing encounters.

Lesson 2 • Atmospheric Processes Affecting IFR Flight

Examines frontal systems, pressure patterns, and moisture dynamics that create IMC. Provides the meteorological foundation for interpreting weather products accurately.

Lesson 3 • Thunderstorm Avoidance Strategies

Explains thunderstorm development, embedded storm detection, and safe deviation procedures. Establishes firm decision-making standards for convective weather encounters.

Lesson 4 • Aviation Weather Products and Briefings

Covers METARs, TAFs, PIREPs, SIGMETs, and graphical weather products used in IFR planning. Builds the ability to synthesize multiple products into a coherent weather picture.

Lesson 1 • Approach Chart Interpretation

Decodes plan view, profile view, minimums section, and missed approach instructions on approach plates. Establishes chart literacy as the prerequisite for all approach flying.

Lesson 2 • Missed Approach and Circling Procedures

Trains immediate missed approach execution and circling approach maneuvering to landing. Ensures pilots can safely transition from approach to missed approach at any point.

Lesson 3 • VOR and NDB Non-Precision Approaches

Develops step-down fix management and MDA discipline for VOR and NDB approach procedures. Builds the foundational non-precision technique applicable to legacy and backup approaches.

Lesson 4 • RNAV and LPV Approach Procedures

Trains GPS-based RNAV approaches including LNAV, LNAV/VNAV, and LPV procedure types. Connects GPS navigation proficiency to modern approach execution.

Lesson 1 • Oral Examination Preparation

Prepares pilots for examiner questioning on regulations, weather, systems, and procedures. Develops the ability to articulate instrument knowledge clearly and accurately.

Lesson 2 • Instrument Proficiency and Currency

Establishes post-rating currency requirements, instrument proficiency check procedures, and recurrent training plans. Ensures pilots maintain safe instrument skills beyond initial certification.

Lesson 3 • Airman Certification Standards Review

Maps all instrument rating tasks to ACS performance standards and identifies common deficiency areas. Provides a structured self-assessment framework for targeted practice.