Mike D
Well Known Member
So, it seems I need (okay, want) to get my IFR ticket. But I want to do it frugally (not cheaply). So, how to do this?
Seems there are a lot of "low cost" IFR schools out there promising a lot. Smells a little fishy to me, but what do you think? Is $5K and 10-days really possible? Will it stick in my brain if done this fast?
Seems there are two portions to the IFR ticket. The knowledge and the practical portions
I have found several ways to get the knowledge test portion done very cheaply.
The FAA have the handbooks here;
http://www.faa.gov/library/manuals/aviation/
Or you can rent the popular instruction videos here;
http://smartflix.com/store/category/70/Aircraft-Piloting
Or I have the Jeppesen IFR text book and Sportys videos from prevous attempts. And there are many online tests you can take.
So the real question is how to get the practical portion done.
Currently, my idea to minimize the cost is to minimize the rental and instructor time. Thoughts on this approach?
My -6a has a GRT sport, 496, icom A200, KX125 nav/com and an auto pilot. So, I am hoping to use this for some of the training. Is this possible? Or, better question, is it a good idea? How do you see this working into the training? If it made sense to add a 430W instead of paying for a rental, this could be an option. But I don't see taking the practical test in my plane as most of the equipment is not IFR legal, and not sure how you block the attitude for the partial panel parts.
Seems I can use up to 10 hours of sim time toward the IFR ticket. This should help keep the cost down. I have heard practicing on MS flight sim, although not counting toward your time, can help reduce the "paid for" time. Any thoughts on this as being practical or being a good or bad idea?
And, when I do have to pay for the instruction, is there any thoughts on going to a immersion type training school, a school on my home field, or maybe even hiring a freelance instructor? Any recommendations? Any RV builders/owner IFR Instructors?
I have over the required 50-hours of XC time.
The practical calls for 40-hours of IFR training (10 of which can be in a sim) but only 15-hours need to be by a qualified IFR instructor. Are the other 25-hours on your own with a safety pilot? Is this where my -6A can work into the equation? Is this even wise?
I do have some minimal IFR instruction time about 3 years ago in my log book. Does this still count?
My goal is to get the IFR certificate to become a better and safer pilot. I want to be frugal but not cheap. All advice is welcome.
Whew! Thanks for reading such a long post.
Seems there are a lot of "low cost" IFR schools out there promising a lot. Smells a little fishy to me, but what do you think? Is $5K and 10-days really possible? Will it stick in my brain if done this fast?
Seems there are two portions to the IFR ticket. The knowledge and the practical portions
I have found several ways to get the knowledge test portion done very cheaply.
The FAA have the handbooks here;
http://www.faa.gov/library/manuals/aviation/
Or you can rent the popular instruction videos here;
http://smartflix.com/store/category/70/Aircraft-Piloting
Or I have the Jeppesen IFR text book and Sportys videos from prevous attempts. And there are many online tests you can take.
So the real question is how to get the practical portion done.
Currently, my idea to minimize the cost is to minimize the rental and instructor time. Thoughts on this approach?
My -6a has a GRT sport, 496, icom A200, KX125 nav/com and an auto pilot. So, I am hoping to use this for some of the training. Is this possible? Or, better question, is it a good idea? How do you see this working into the training? If it made sense to add a 430W instead of paying for a rental, this could be an option. But I don't see taking the practical test in my plane as most of the equipment is not IFR legal, and not sure how you block the attitude for the partial panel parts.
Seems I can use up to 10 hours of sim time toward the IFR ticket. This should help keep the cost down. I have heard practicing on MS flight sim, although not counting toward your time, can help reduce the "paid for" time. Any thoughts on this as being practical or being a good or bad idea?
And, when I do have to pay for the instruction, is there any thoughts on going to a immersion type training school, a school on my home field, or maybe even hiring a freelance instructor? Any recommendations? Any RV builders/owner IFR Instructors?
I have over the required 50-hours of XC time.
The practical calls for 40-hours of IFR training (10 of which can be in a sim) but only 15-hours need to be by a qualified IFR instructor. Are the other 25-hours on your own with a safety pilot? Is this where my -6A can work into the equation? Is this even wise?
I do have some minimal IFR instruction time about 3 years ago in my log book. Does this still count?
My goal is to get the IFR certificate to become a better and safer pilot. I want to be frugal but not cheap. All advice is welcome.
Whew! Thanks for reading such a long post.