IFR training for the frugal

[xblueh2o]

Let me add my free advice (it's worth every penny you paid for it) as a CFII and professional pilot regarding sims or flight training devices.

Think of the sim (FTD) as a machine that will allow you to learn the procedures of IFR. They do a very poor job of teaching you how to fly IFR because despite what the manufacturer might tell you, they don't fly like a real airplane. The best place to use a FTD is holding practice, NDB work etc. Use your time in a FTD to cement in your head procedures and habits that will be used once you get in the real airplane. Once you have the procedures cold to the point of not having to think about it, go do it in the airplane.

Free advice #2. Do not allow your instructor to rush you into shooting approaches too soon. It's way more fun for the instructor but you will be so far behind the airplane that should you crash you will have to walk to the scene of the accident. Spend lots of time early mastering control of the aircraft so you can fly it without thinking about it. this allows your brain to work on procedures of IFR instead of just trying to keep the dirty side down. As boring as it sounds that means patterns patterns patterns. Mastery of the airplane to the point of being able to smoothly and accurately execute any pattern means you are ready to begin doing approaches, not before.

Good luck and have fun with it.

[BobTurner]

I agree with the above, simulators - even the simple PC ones - are good for holding pattern entries and NDB (for those who still have one) work.

Previous post- you can train in anything you like, but you must have an aircraft suitable for IFR for the practical test. If you can do a VOR, localizer, and ILS approach in your plane then you don't need a certified GPS.

[JDanno]

You CAN fly legally IFR in non-certified instruments. This has been discussed several times already. GRT, Dynon, MGL, etc. are all non-certified instruments and are flown IFR legally everyday. What you are NOT supposed to do is use non-cert instruments for approaches.

[BobTurner]

I do not understand the previous post.
If you are flying under part 91, and if EAB with the usual operating limitations requiring you to follow 91.205, there are only a few things which must be certified, by which I mean show compliance with TSO standards. These include GPS used for IFR, and transponders. The regulations say nothing about flight instruments, VORs, localizers, DME or ADFs. There are no restrictions on flying ifr approaches with this equipment.

[Brent Colvin]

I went to GATTS in Manhatten, KS. Did all my flying in the RV 7 that we built. Garmin GTN 650 and 327 Transponder only certified equipement. They had no problem with it, nor the examineer. Really enjoyed it. 7 day course. Lucky to get 3 hours in the clouds. Would do it all over again, good people