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10 Day Instrument Courses - Do they Work
Fred H. Quarles ATP-CFII(resume)
Copyright 1993
Hint # 5
Does the 10 day Instrument Rating Really Work?
I think the answer to this question is a highly qualified YES!
Most Definitely! Below is a discussion of the "qualifications".
When I was working on my instrument rating many years ago, I
completed the flying portion of the instrument rating preparation
and completed the flight test between college
semesters in 7 days!
But, it was not truly a "quickie" type course. I had a highly
qualified instructor, and I had done a lot of preparation on the
ground beforehand.
This is how I prepared myself for the instrument rating
1. I studied for the written test and had it passed! I was
not as good as I would have liked to be but at least I had
it out of the way. I used a Jeppesen home study course
2. I had a copy of HINT 1 ATC CLEARS
, a tape on how to use a shorthand method of copying clearances.
I studied this until I could copy clearances as fast as they came
off the tape. This took about a week of working on this particular
part of the rating. (Sport's Pilot shop carries this tape.)
3. I made an appointment with my instructor, told him that I had
a limited amount of time to attempt to get my instrument rating,
and would like to try and get the job done during the spring
break (7 days). He agreed to try and help me accomplish the task, with
no comment on the time I had alotted to do it.!
I believe by setting my goal, letting my instructor know I was
serious, putting a time limit on it, (he knew whatever money
he was going to make off me was going to be in those 7 days
for whatever that was worth), and to give him a lot of credit,
he worked harder than I did bringing me up to snuff!
4. My instructor, for this course, had previously been the chief
flight instructor for a major school. He drilled me a lot on the
ground, computing headings, interceptions, and holding patterns,
HINT 2 in my head, until I could do them
in my sleep, BEFORE we spent time flying.
5. My logbook showed 27 hours preparation and about 15 hours
prior to starting on the final preparation when I finally got
the license , flying 4 hours a day.(in 7 days)
6. In retrospect, the 15 hours of instrument time I had
prior to this intensive training, was of little use, because
a.(back then, an instructor didn't have to have an instrument
rating or an instrument instructor rating) and I was flying with
instructors who were not rated instrument flight instructors!
b. It was mostly how to control the aircraft, rather than as
an overall IFR package of control, navigate, communicate, which
is what IFR flying is all about.
To summarize this HINT 5, I would say that getting your act
together by getting the written passed, then concentrating your
efforts on a 10 day course.....when you eat, sleep, think flying
all day, is, in my humble opinion, the best way to go.
When I contrast this method with my experience trying to get
a Private Pilot certificate, I can only wonder that I ever got
a Private License. Trying it with the local FBO, was an exercise
in frustration. I went through a number of flight instructors,
who were just building time as a stepping stone to the next job.
Oftentimes, a scheduled lesson was cancelled for a charter flight,
then weather would intervene, and sometimes weeks would pass between
lessons.
In the short run, I did spend more money in 7 days, than I would
usually spend in a month of flying, but I also got something
accomplished that gave me a great deal of freedom and value....
my instrument rating.
I found that my airplane utility shot way up. I was able to
take most flights that, up to that time, I had been unable to
take VFR.
Marginally VFR days were no longer worrisome. I did still have
to worry about ice and thunderstorms, but still, most of the
time, the marginal days were a matter of taking off, climbing
through clouds for a few thousand feet, getting on top, and
flying to my destination.
I still practiced conservative flying, but I had the knowledge
that I could make a 200 foot 1/2 mile approach if I had to and
on occasion, I did it. But, for the most part, I was now
able to come and go as I pleased!
Since that time, I have followed this approach with my own
students and have found that they have been able to prepare
themselves with 20-25 hours of preparation and I have been
comfortable with their abilities at that time. We do, however,
spend a lot of time on the ground, getting the mental arithmetic
under control!
If you are considering an instrument rating, I would highly recommend
that you follow this same plan.
If you have questions, or need an instructor to work with
you for your instrument rating,
I would be happy to talk speak you about it.
If you have questions you may E-Mail me at
atpcfii@ferrypilot.cjb.net
Fred H. Quarles ATP-CFII (resume)
888-595-9131
- End of Hint # 5 -
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