Tailwinds Flying ClubWinter Safety Session – 2009

Instrument Rating and IFR Flight Planning

Instrument Rating

“I fly VFR, why do I need to know IFR requirements?”

Low ceilings and visibility, which can catch pilots unaware or lure pilots to fly further, are the most deadly killers.

- AOPA Air Safety Foundation

VFR into IMC accounted for 87.5 percent of all fatal weather accidents in SEF (single engine fixed gear) aircraft. Most of these accidents could have been avoided had the pilot reversed course at the first recognition of instrument meteorological conditions (IMC), or not departed at all.

2004 Nall Report

Pilot and Plane Requirements

Instrument Rating

• Safer pilot

• Personal life insurance, when available, provides discounts for pilots with IFR ratings

• The club encourages continued training and certifications– Club instructors less expensive then typical training schools– Use of club planes

You and Tailwinds Flying Club

Instrument Rating

FAR 61.65 (a) (b) (c) (d) (e)GENERAL• Must hold at least a current private pilot certificate• Be able to read, speak, write the English language• Receive and log ground training on the aeronautical knowledge areas• Receive a logbook endorsement from an authorized instructor

certifying the pilot is ready to take the required knowledge test• Receive and log flight training on the areas of operation• Endorsement from an authorized instructor that the pilot is prepared to

take the required practical test• Pass the required practical and knowledge testsThe pilot must meet the aeronautical knowledge and flight proficiency

as required by parts (b) (c)

Pilot and Plane Requirements

Instrument Rating

FAR 61.65• 50 hours cross-country flight time as PIC• 40 hours of actual or simulated instrument time on the areas of

operation per FAR 61.65 (d) (i) (ii) (iii)– 15 hours instrument flight training from an authorized instructor in the aircraft

category for which the instrument rating is sought;– 3 hours of instrument training that is appropriate to the instrument rating sought

from an authorized instructor in preparation for the practical test within 60 days preceding the date of the test;

– Instrument training on cross-country flight procedures that includes at least one cross-country flight in an airplane that is performed under IFR, and consists of -

• A distance of at least 250 nm along airways or ATC-directed routing• Instrument approach at each airport• Three different kinds of approaches with the use of navigation systems

• Part (e) relates to the use of flight simulators or flight training device

Pilot and Plane Requirements

Instrument Rating

FAR 91.201 (b) (c) (d) (b) Visual-flight rules (day) – Instruments required• AI, Altimeter, Magnetic DI, Tachometer, Oil pressure, Temperature

gauge, Manifold pressure, fuel, landing gear (if retractable), safety belts (shoulder harness for front seats), documents (AROW), anti-collision lights

(c) Visual-flight rules (night)• Instruments and equipment specified for day VFR plus; position lights,

landing light, source of electrical energy(d) Instrument flight rules• Instruments and equipment specified above plus; two-way radio,

gyroscopic rate-of-turn indicator, slip-skid indicator, adjustable barometric pressure sensitive altimeter, clock (display hour, minutes, and seconds), generator/alternator, gyroscopic pitch and bank indicator, gyroscopic direction indicator

Pilot and Plane Requirements

Instrument Rating

• All of the club airplanes are instrument rated• Garmin GNS 430

– Flight plans– Current approach procedures– Nearest airports includes approaches– Frequency lists (departure, enroute, or arrival)

• Auto-pilot– Archer– Arrow– Six

Club Airplanes

IFR Weather

Weather effects you need to understand• Icing• Snow showers• Thunderstorms• Temperature inversions• Fast-moving fronts producing high winds• Fog

Be aware of changes in the weather before and during your flight

Listen to your inner voice and know your minimums

Weather Effects

IFR WeatherWeather Sources

IFR Flight Planning21D – Lake Elmo Airport

Approved approaches and arrival charts

IFR Flight PlanningWhat are the take-off minimums for Lake Elmo Airport?

IFR Flight PlanningDestination and Alternate Airports

Make sure the alternate is a good choice before you go there

IFR Flight PlanningIFR Check List

IFR Training

• Use the club’s instructors• Fly with/as a safety pilot• Take online courses• Use flight simulators• Fly practice approaches• Practice IFR flight planning

Instruction and Practice

Thanks!Questions?