Getting my instrument rating is on my short list of things to do. I don't need it for the flying I am currently doing but the goal is have my Instrument Commercial and CFI done before I am eligible to retire from the Military in 5 years. I am currently on an all expenses paid trip to the Middle East and I don't have a lot of the distractions that I have at home so I'd like to take the opportunity to learn something about it. As most of you know I am an FE on the mighty C-5 Galaxy and before that I laid on my belly and passed gas aboard the KC-135 for 7 yrs and 2600hrs. I have just shy of 5000 hrs now with most of it being right behind the pilots. I've seen thousands of ILS approaches flown and can read a Jep approach plate fairly well. I am also good to go on the ATC system, clearances, talking to ATC, etc. The hands on flying procedures is going to be my steep learning curve as I have very little experience with that part and probabaly couldn't track a VOR right now.

I've used ASA products in the past and like the layout so I was planning on getting the written test prep book and oral guide. I noticed while shopping however, there are a ton of Instrument books out there. I'd like to pick up something that is maybe a bit more advanced than someone who is fresh off their PPL with no other flying experience. The reason I ask is when I did my Private License I wasted alot of money on literature that I never ended up using much because it was written to the least common denominator... Aileron makes the plane roll...got it I'd love to hear some recommendations on things I can do to get ahead of the game before I actually find the time to knock it out.

I have not begun my Instrument Training yet, but when I do, I will probably purchase the Sporty's Learn to Fly DVD Course. I have the Private Pilot Course and they were great.

They are a little pricey, but its worth it for the quality.

https://www.sportys.com/PilotShop/product/9579

xcalibursword wrote:I have not begun my Instrument Training yet, but when I do, I will probably purchase the Sporty's Learn to Fly DVD Course. I have the Private Pilot Course and they were great.

They are a little pricey, but its worth it for the quality.

https://www.sportys.com/PilotShop/product/9579

Sporty's DVD's were what I was referring to when I mentioned wasting money when I did my PPL. I fast forwarded through about 2/3's of their PPL course. I think the only thing I really learned was weather and navigation stuff. The rest of it was really really basic stuff that I already knew. Also finding time to sit through a whole DVD is tough. I prefer a book that I can pick up and read when I have time. Their material is definately more exciting than John and Martha but just barely.

John and Martha King. There is nothing much in that test that has to do with instrument flying. Pass it and go get your rating. My opinion only.

I agree on the King school. Seems pretty straight forward with good explanation of WHY and has good prep tests.

try this, there are reasonably prices online options and printed material. Even a free instrument study guide.

http://www.americanflyers.net/

I always recommend "Instrument Flying" by Richard Taylor. It's chock-full of real-world lessons as well as plenty of great partial panel exercises.

http://www.amazon.com/Instrument-Flying-Richard-Taylor/dp/0070633452

Another book I can't read enough times is "Weather Flying" by Bob Buck:

http://www.amazon.com/Weather-Flying-Robert-Buck/dp/007008761X/ref=pd_bxgy_b_img_y

I used Kershner's Instrument Flight Manual when I got my rating 25 years ago and picked up a much later edition when I did my IPC to get back in the game recently. It is a good a solid text that is easy to follow. It also blend practical application information with all the theory and regs and that was a big help for me.

I dont the as much time as you in the back, only about 2000hrs in the back of a blackhawk, and I was a crew instructor for 6 years. I've been there and helped with instrument training from the back. I just finished my instrument back in October. The knowledge part was no big deal, as with you. The theory of instrument flight, all made perfect sense, in practice was the hard part. keeping the thing greasy side down gets tough as the CFI changes things and fails things.

I used the jep prep book for the test, because the school made us buy it. It's ok, (note the little ok). I bought the dauntless IFR prep app for my tablet and liked that much more.

I highly recommend this. http://www.amazon.com/Pilots-Handbook-F ... t+handbook

the IFR section, which is 3/4 of the book, is written in the phase of flight as it happens in order, and what info applies to that phase, and how to apply it. makes it really easy to read and understand.

My friend let me borrow his Rod machado's IFR manual. I had to force myself through two chapters, and couldn't handle it anymore. just full of blah blah. 98% of the book I'm sure is jokes. I cant back that statement up though because I never could force myself to read it. I'm sure his books have helped millions. Hes been a famous CFI for ages.

good luck

Thanks guys this is exactly the kind of info I was looking for

The holds simulators can save you some money. 90 percent of that is mental. Figuring out the type of entry, wind corrections, when to shallow or steepen the turn for timing, is all stuff that's easier and cheaper to practice on the sim.

Because I'm going the self-study route, I did the usual overkill - I have the Jepps Instrument & Commercial textbook used by my son while he was in college, the Sporty's DVD (bought used on ebay), and the Gleim study manual.

The Gleim is a usefull tool for review - you're not going to learn from it, but it is a good test to check for completeness of your preparation. YMMV . . ..

I second the Taylor and Buck books--both excellent. Likewise, Kershner's book is really good.

Actually the FAA's Instrument Flying Handbook and Instrument Procedures Handbook are pretty good, albeit a bit dry--they're online at http://www.faa.gov/regulations_policies ... 83-15B.pdf
and
http://www.faa.gov/regulations_policies ... 261-1A.pdf
respectively. They are much better now than when I took my instrument training some 38 years ago.

Of course, there's nothing quite like getting behind the yoke (or stick) and applying what you learn, for it to all begin to fall into place. When you do that, find an instructor who spends adequate time on the basics--Pattern A and Pattern B proficiency are essential to being a good hands-on instrument pilot.

Cary

I agree with Cary. The more time you can get with basics in the aircraft, the better you will understand the written material. In Army helicopters, we flew lots of IMC. IFR, not IMC, was done with two student pilots and an instructor in the jump seat. As a civilian CFI-I, I did it the same way, as much as possible. If you can pare up with another private pilot working on his instrment, you can get twice as much flying for the price of one. Remember, the pilot not under the hood is PIC. Find an instructor who will fly as much IMC with you as possible. It is hard to find good training IMC in the mountains and high desert.

The Navy had the best manual on weather. I don't remember the name. Been too long.

Joey- for guys like you and I the king videos are great . It's like kindergarten style teaching for the instrument. Gliem wasn't bad either but again listening to Mooney niner four kilo Seirra over and over still resonates in my head. Dave and Martha's videos are great.

I'm currently working on my instrument ticket as well. Plan on using it to get in and out, not fly trips in imc.

My instructor recommended Rod Machado's book, which I bought and couldn't stand. He might be funny in person or video, but for me his attempt at humor in his book was distracting, interfering, and not funny.

It's entirely possible this is completely my problem as I actually like reading technical manuals, so for me the FAA's Instrument Flying Handbook seems in logical order to me and I'm enjoying reading it.

For practice while you are overseas, I suggest getting Microsoft Flight Sim X, get your hands on some charts, and practice approaches, holds, etc. Most of the NavAids are correct and the instruments read correctly. I have a buddy that does that weekly because he doesn't have the money to fly enough to stay current. He says by the time he takes an IPC, he nails it every time.

For books, I read "Everything Explained for the Professional Pilot" cover to cover.

Since they took away our Tuition Assistance and shut down the testing center to take Dantes and Clep tests I went ahead and ordered an Instrument book to start reading. Hoping to joing the crowd of Military guys doing their rating at the local school using the Montgomery GI Bill when I get home.

As others have said, a good FREE text is the FAAs Instrument Flying Handbook and it's companion, Instrument Procedures Handbook. These are both free online in PDF, or cheap in print.

Bob Bucks "Weather Flying is a MUST read for any pilot, especially the instrument pilot.

Lots of free "practice tests" online as well, to prep for the exam.

Keep it simple. And, just an FYI: Watching someone else fly instrument approaches is good perspective, but it isn't QUITE the same as doing so oneself....

MTV

For students starting from scratch, I recommend the Sporty's DVD/online program. But it sounds like your wanting a book. I've heard good things about Kershner and Taylor's books. Like MTV said, if you don't go one of the routes that provides a practice test simulator, find one online. Like gbflyer said, there is getting the test done and then there is the actual flying. There is a lot that you'll learn for the test that you'll never use in the real world.

When you get back and are ready to do the training, I'd suggest Sheble's Aviation in AZ. Show up with the written done and ready to go. Knock out the rating, then go spend some time with a CFII in the real world environment to get comfortable with it.