Accelerated Flight School Podcast

The IFR Written exam is said to be the most difficult written exam from PPL through CFI.  Mainly, people note the extensive bank of questions as the reason - nearly 1200.  But wait, don't give up now!  There's a way through this mess and it's called Flight Test 5 from Sheppard Air.  If you are okay with using a tool that helps you memorize the correct answers to the test questions, than this app is all you need to pass the exam.  No, seriously, if you do nothing but use this app you can pass the IFR and CFII written exams.  The CFII exam is based off the same bank of questions as the IFR exam.  So, check out the episode, download the app (links below) and pass your IFR written! PC/MAC Apple iOS Android - Boo, no Android app. feedback@acceleratedflightschoolpodcast.com www.facebook.com/TheGingerDan www.facebook.com/GingerDanPilot https://twitter.com/GingerDanPilot

Take a moment and read 14 CFR part 61.65 (d)(2)(ii)(A, B, and C).  Just kidding, no one is going to do that.  But if you did, you would see that one requirement to take your Instrument Rating Check Ride is to perform a flight 250 nautical miles or longer filed as IFR, an instrument approach at each airport, and three different kinds of approaches.  So, our school actually has a predefined route for this for each location and ours takes us from North Las Vegas to Needles, then to Bullhead City, and finally back to North Las Vegas where we completed ILS, LOC, and GPS approaches (it's okay if those terms mean nothing to you).  The first segment is the longest but that's fine because Needles has an interesting approach - Coming in from the north at a high altitude, we had to perform the procedure turn and holding pattern to lose altitude for the approach.  Leaving Needles was the same but in reverse.  We had to follow the Departure Procedure and enter the holding pattern to gain altitude to depart the area.  Great practice with crosswinds in a holding pattern!  Bullhead was pretty simple and we stopped there for gas and to eat lunch.  The flight back to Vegas is always interesting.  We had a hard time receiving Las Vegas Approach and one of the other CFIs at our school was closer and heard us on the radio.  They acted as an intermediary and helped us out.  Way to go guys!  As we crossed over the hills around Vegas, we had a sudden wind shear.  This is exactly why you are always hands on the yolk when flying.  If I wasn't holding on and immediately correcting, we would have hit at least a 45 degree bank or more.  But I'm a good pilot - not today, wind!  Finishing of this week will consist of more SIMs and maybe another flight to shoot another approach - we flew to St. George to shoot the GPS approach.  I struggled on this one and we had to circle to land which was good practice. feedback@acceleratedflightschoolpodcast.com www.facebook.com/TheGingerDan www.facebook.com/GingerDanPilot https://twitter.com/GingerDanPilot

Week 10 is all about learning Departure Procedures, Approaches, and Holding Patterns. You'll spend a bunch of time flying approach after approach after approach and you'll get familiar with how holding patterns work up in the air. You'll also be spending a great deal of time at home studying for your written exams (there's 2). Be prepared to have your brain overloaded this week as there's a lot to learn and things come fast when you're flying.

The introduction into IFR flying begins with a very relaxed and exciting week full of and new experiences. You'll be flying under the hood quite a bit but you'll be flying further than typical and to new places which is always exciting. You'll be extremely overwhelmed trying to copy down IFR clearances this week and you'll see how busy a cockpit gets during an IFR arrival. However, you'll be spending a lot of time at cruise where you'll be discussing basic IFR flight information.

In today's episode, I cover the Flight Review and Check-Ride, how they differ, and when you would expect to see each. You will be performing a check-ride for all your new certificates or add-on ratings (such as Multi-Engine), so listen in to find out what you're in for.

Week 7 brought me my first night flight in a long time where we did a short cross country with pattern work. The remainder of the week was spend doing even more patterns and cross country flights.

Accelerated flight school is not a walk in the park. It's difficult, time consuming, and expensive. Having a family only exacerbates these issues. I discuss with you how to prepare your family for your time in flight school, how to manage your time between studying and everything else, and how to budget to afford flight school.

Week 6 was all about solo preparation and cross countries! We completed my solo takeoff and landing evaluation (passed!), performed more basic maneuvers, and completed two cross country flights. It was a great week in flight training!

Not all weeks are created equal. During week 5, I flew 1 full flight and 1 very short flight. Out of the last 10 available days, I few 3. Sometimes you lose the scheduling battle and this week I certainly lost. Hopefully I will fair better next week.

In Week 4, I got to experience some more simulated IFR with VOR interception and standard rate turns. I also created a flight plan at home and flew that plan in what we dubbed "The Loop" which was a loop around the Las Vegas valley.

In my third week in the accelerated flight school, we cover basic emergencies including engine failures in the pattern. On the second day, the weather threw us some wonderful crosswinds so we spent the day practicing crosswind takeoffs, patterns, and landings. Week three also brought me my first official cross-country flight! It was amazing! Finally, Radio calls and position reporting are incredibly important and I tell you why.

Week two brought in some more important maneuvers: short and soft field takeoffs and landings. We also did a bunch of pattern work which is always helpful. Finally, I got to see what it meant to get Bravo Clearance. Week two was very informative and helpful!

I have finally begun my flight training and it's awesome! We practiced some steep turns, stalls, and of course, pattern work. The first week is where the CFI gets to evaluate the student's inherent ability to fly. Such a fun week!

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Before you begin flight training, you need to know what your training options are.   Should you attend an Aeronautical University, join a local Flying club, hire a CFI from an FBO, or attend an Accelerated Flight School?   There are many differences between these options and I cover them here. Aviation Careers Podcast:  http://www.aviationcareerspodcast.com/ AOPA Flying Club Finder:  https://www.aopa.org/CAPComm/flyingclubs/flyingclubfinder/ GI Bill Flight Training Information:  http://benefits.va.gov/gibill/flight_training.asp