IFR Approach & Departure Gotchas

11 minutes

Most glideslopes are 3 degrees. When you find yourself on a steeper one without preparation, your workload increases dramatically. Ryan shows how this can get you into trouble, and a simple technique that helps keep things smooth and make it a non-event.

11 minutes

As instrument pilots, we’re used to looking at charts that make it easy to interpret the procedure. When you’re handed a wall of text instead (in a textual ODP), it can be daunting. Sometimes, a successful departure comes down to a single word in the description. Ryan will show you what to look for.

12 minutes

Sometimes a non-precision approach looks like a sure thing—when, in fact, it’s almost impossible to land straight-in. See why visibility is the thing to watch, and how to maximize your chances of making a normal descent to a landing.

12 minutes

Some approaches have lots of turns and step-downs. If you haven’t thought it through ahead of time, one surprise twist can quickly make a mess of your approach. Ryan shows you how to set yourself up for success and reduce your workload on these busy approaches.

6 minutes

Radar vectors are an easy way to get from the departure runway onto your filed route, but the required climb gradient isn’t always standard. Learn to identify when a higher climb rate is required (ATC won’t tell you), how to ensure you’re meeting it, and what to do when you’re not.

10 minutes

Circling approaches require careful planning when you’re transitioning from instrument flight into a modified traffic pattern. Knowing where to circle and when to descend below MDA is key. Ryan explains what to consider in making these decisions, and how to stay safe if you must go missed.

8 minutes

Flying a circling approach with a low ceiling is extremely demanding—whether you do it for real, on a checkride, or on an IPC. Ryan shows you how using automation properly can make it less taxing, and demonstrates some sneaky traps that can snag you when you break out and start circling.

9 minutes

If you don’t fly SIDs often, they can be intimidating. Pilots who aren’t familiar with them regularly make the same sorts of mistakes. You’ll see why it’s critical to read the text, what to look for, and how to avoid the common traps pilots encounter when flying these departures.

5 minutes

When you don’t see something on your avionics that you expect to see, it can cause anxiety and confusion. Ryan explains a subtle gotcha lurking in many seemingly mundane RNAV approaches, and a clever workaround that will keep you out of trouble.

9 minutes

In certain conditions, a Visual Climb Over Airport (VCOA) can be a great alternative to an ODP—but there are common misconceptions that get pilots into trouble. You’ll learn how to fully decipher the textual description, and program your GPS to avoid problems in the climb.

11 minutes

Once you continue below the MDA or DA, the missed approach no longer offers any protection. So what do you do if you have to go missed and climb back into the clouds? Ryan demonstrates one critical thing you should do before going missed that will help you avoid this trap.

6 minutes

On certain departure procedures, an automation feature can actually become a gotcha. You’ll see how blindly following your GPS in this case can cause problems for both you and ATC, and how to make the GPS do what you really want.

8 minutes

Every IFR approach ends with a visual segment. You may think that’s where things get easy, but it’s actually where a particularly dangerous gotcha is often waiting. Ryan demonstrates exactly how this trap unfolds. It’s an eye-opening experience with a valuable take-away that you won’t forget.

6 minutes

How do you identify “non-standard” threats during an approach briefing? Ryan shows you how a conduct a thorough approach briefing to catch gotchas ahead of time, allowing you to fly an approach with more confidence.

24 minutes

Instrument training and recurrent practice often neglect important aspects of IFR departures. Ryan answers the most common questions pilots have about departures, and explains how you can get in trouble by not understanding their nuances.

32 minutes

Ryan reviews the functions of the avionics used in this course (Garmin GTN750, G5, GFC500). See how the built-in features of these modern systems can help you avoid gotchas. This is valuable information, even if you don’t use the same avionics.