IFR ground training

[ajay]

Wondering what folks would recommend to prepare for the instrument knowledge test, here are some options I've seen:

Aviation Seminars
www.aviationseminars.com 800-257-9444

King Schools Online IFR Course
http://www.kingschools.com/ground-sc...rating/courses

Sheppard Air
www.sheppardair.com


Gleim Aviation
http://www.gleim.com/products/produc...ool-Instrument

http://www.gleim.com/products/produc...edge-Test-book

MZero A
https://groundschoolacademy.com/


iPad or Tablet Applications
http://www.asa2fly.com/Prepware-Apps-C589.aspx
http://www.asa2fly.com/Apps-for-Apple-C574.aspx

[Red Mtn flyer]

The choice is most dependent on your learning style: what format/ experience aids your learning best?
Note that your study/ prep for the practical/ oral [and real life] will have a different focus than the prep for the written. In my case, that meant an intensive focus on the test prep was more effective.
Not saying the knowledge base is entirely irrelevant to actual flying -- but, e.g., I take the CR-2 out once a year just to remember I could use it to calculate fuel burn for a given leg to 0.1 gallons....

[BrianDC]

I got both the Kings Ground course and Shepherd Air for my IFR, and here are my thoughts on them.

Shepherd Air was extremely helpful for the IFR written test as I was able to understand more of the details of how the test questions were written and the "quirks" of why specific questions were scored a certain way. I really didn't find Shepherd helpful in truly learning about IFR concepts or as a good replacement for a true online Ground instruction course. (I.E. Shepherd Air will help get a good score on the test)

I used the King online videos for both my PPT and my IR and while they can be hard to watch at times, the did a fairly good job at teaching the concepts. I'm sure some of the other sites you list below also work well (M0A, or even https://rodmachado.com/), just find something that speaks to you. I'm not sure I could have made it through the M0A stuff as I don't mesh with his speaking style

I should be taking my IR Checkride in the next 30 days and hopefully it goes well! (Just waiting for a slot with my DPE).

[flyinhood]

Congrats on starting your IFR. After your done, you will have a new level of proficiency and fun on your cross countries. No more scud running.

I really enjoyed the Sportys IFR video series for the IFR training and King for the written. Remember anything over a 70% on the written is showing off. The real understanding comes after the written is done.

If possible, try to have the written done before or in the early portions of your IFR training. This way you can concentrate on the actual training (Sportys).

The bummer about IFR training is you have the written, flying ability, to pass your checkride, and than finally the most important..how to safely fly a planned IFR crosscountry and all the thought processes that go with that.

Another program I like for real IFR flying / decison proficiency (not just training for the check ride) is:

https://www.pilotworkshop.com/

Best of luck what ever you decide. IFR is one of the most useful and intense flight certificates / ratings one can earn.

[Paul 5r4]

Glad to see this thread! I'm VFR only but have recently been thinking about an IFR ticket. Hope others chime in with their experience! Watching with interest!!!

[airguy]

I took the Gleim for my instrument written this summer and it worked just fine - but be aware that it "teaches to the test". Their goal is to get you to pass the test, and they don't necessarily teach some of the "here is why" behind the questions. Knowing that, I don't think I would recommend it.

Time didn't work out for me to take my instrument checkride prior to Reno, so I'll have to schedule it for afterward, but I'm very close.

[rocketbob]

Read the Gleim book chapter introductions, then do Sheppard Air. I scored over 90% on all writtens I've taken using these methods, and most were done in short timeframes, week to two weeks start to finish.

Pass the tests, the "why" will come with real-world experience.

[emuyshondt]

Gleim has a test prep and also an Online Ground School. I took the latter to get my commercial certificate last year and it worked well for me. It includes reasonable written descriptions of the material that I studied before taking the online questions. The test prep part helped some, especially for me to prepare for the oral almost two years later. It took me a while to get the practical part done after I took the written. Gleim was very easy to work with to get extensions to the test prep software since normally access only lasts for 12 months.

Gleim allows you to take a chapter of the training for free, so you can see what the program is like.

I took my Instrument Rating in the late 90’s using a Jeppesen program similar to Gleim, but with paper books. I studied on my own until I was ready to take the test and then found a CFII to signs me off. I looked at the Jeppesen program for my Commercial Certificate, it they were totally unresponsive to some questions I had. Gleam was very proactive, even calling me after I took the free trial, and offering some discounts. They were friendly and helpful, so I went with them.

I tried some of the others (e.g. Sheppard Air), and most seemed ok to me. The interfaces on their web sites are very 1990’s, but the material seemed like it would work. I went with Gleim because they were the most eager to help me, and it worked out that they gave me free extensions to their test preps when I took too long to take my check ride.

[gmohr]

I am using Gold Method for my instrument ground. This was developed by Russell Still. You can find it at https://www.goldmethod.com

[RV10Pilot]

My son started private pilot training this summer and I was tasked with finding him an online study program for his ground school and there are so many options out there to choose from. Of all the choices he choose http://fly8ma.com It is free for private pilot training. The courses teach the material not just test prep. The private pilot ground school is broken down into about 90 small topics, with each video only about 5 minute long. Having the course broken down into small chunks makes it nice so you can spend as little or as much time during a training session and get something accomplished. Although my son has not yet taken his written exam, the course seems to be working for him. And agin, it is free for the private pilot.

A quick look at FLY8MA for instrument training and it was not clear how much it costs. I saw $29 per month and $127 per month and $299 for a year access to the IFR training program. (Rant: I hate web sites that make it difficult to figure out how much their program costs). Not sure if I helped at all, except for giving you another option to evaluate.