Tag: IR

  • EASA Instrument Checkride

    I completed my competency-based instrument rating course and recently got my night rating. The examiner was able to squeeze my exam into his schedule on Sunday, and the weather was perfect, so I had my checkride today. It was my second attempt since previously the attitude indicator failed in the school Cessna 172, and we…

  • EASA Intrument Checkride: Nice Try

    Yesterday I got my EASA NVFR (night rating), and today I manage to schedule my IFR checkride. It does not make sense to wait if the examiner is available and all lessons are done. Usually students fly to Vodochody or Karlovy Vary for instrument checkrides because these airports are controlled, and they have published instrument…

  • EASA Instrument Rating: Level Up!

    So, the blog is alive, and I still keep going. Any professional pilot path starts from the PPL (Private Pilot License). After that you’re good to go by visual cues all by yourself. In Europe only day flights are legal (night rating should be obtained to fly at night), in the US you’re allowed to…

  • FAA IPC

    It is essential for every pilot to be not only current but proficient. Without practice skills degrade and can even fade away some day. That’s why FAA requires BFR (Biannual Flight Review) for any type of flying and IPC (Instrument Proficiency Check) for instrument pilots who did not fly enough instrument procedures during the last…

  • IR Part 141, Checkride: Becoming a Legal Instrument Pilot

    After about two months of flying, studying, and waiting, I am finally going to have my Instrument Rating checkride. I am thrilled since I only had to wait for two days after my end-of-course check, which is not common at all. We will be flying to Brooksville, a nearby controlled airport with an ILS approach…

  • IR Part 141: The End-of-Course Check Flight

    The Part 141 course requires an internal school check flight before allowing students to have a checkride. This check is usually performed by the school chief pilot or a senior flight instructor. In my case, the school owner, Tom Davis, will conduct the check. The weather is fine today, and I need to demonstrate that…

  • IR Part 141, Stage III Check: One More Cross-Country Flight

    Stage III of the Instrument Rating course mainly focuses on cross-country flights and everything related to them, such as weather briefing, flight planning, reading and interpreting NOTAMs, fuel, weight and balance computation, and more. Therefore, this stage check is a one more cross-country flight with full preparation. Unfortunately, the weather today is far from perfect,…

  • IR Part 141: Long Cross Country Flight

    Every student pilot should undertake a long cross-country flight during their training course. It doesn’t necessarily mean flying across the entire country, but certain flight leg requirements must be met based on the specific program (e.g., private, instrument or commercial). For instance, instrument rating demands a flight of 250 nautical miles with an instrument approach…

  • IR Part 141: Challenges of Cross-Country Flying

    The third stage of the course primarily focuses on cross-country flying. This means that students are required to plan and execute a flight to a remote airport, located more than 50 nautical miles from the departure airport. Although I had experience preparing mass and balance, weather briefing, and fuel, I had never prepared and filed…

  • IR part 141, Stage II Check: Mastering Instrument Approaches

    Probably the most important stage in the Instrument Rating course is Stage II, when the student learns to fly approaches. It requires precise and correct piloting, proper radio communications, multitasking skills, and attention to detail. Of course, these skills are important in every flight, including visual piloting, but instrument flight is even more demanding. Although…