The Quest for IFR

Let's face it, I'm not an avid blogger, but after reading a post by professional pilot and avid aviation blogger, Brad of AirlinePilotChatter, I'm willing to give this another shot.  Recently, Brad, a First Officer for American Airlines won a bid to upgrade to First Officer on a B737 after faithfully flying the MD80 for over 10 years.  As he wrote in his blog, he mentioned his study and preparation process for transitioning to a new aircraft and mentioned that it was similar to "drinking from a fire hose."  I am somewhat familiar with this process, having studied and successfully obtained a Private Pilot Certificate and an Advanced Ground Instructor Certificate, but I can't imagine what the process must be like for learning an entirely different aircraft, and a jet at that.

However, after reading Brad's post, somehow, he inspired me to muster up enough confidence to initiate my next aviation goal- an instrument rating.  One of my new year's resolutions was to start my IFR ticket this year, and yesterday became Day 1.  I must say that I am somewhat intimidated having no other instrument experience other than what was required for the Private Pilot Certificate, and looking at approach plates and reviewing Federal Aviation Regulations, I once again feel like I am shrouded in ambiguity and the unknown.  At the same time, I urge myself to push through, and remind myself that this is only the first week.  Things are going to seem foreign and confusing.  They were when I first started out for my initial ticket.  But it seems the benefits of the IFR ticket- becoming a more proficient and safe pilot seem to outweigh those challenges.

So now, I'm buckling in, and preparing myself yet again for the challenges ahead of me, but hopefully a little more wiser this time around.  While earning my PPL, I was very anxious about getting up in the air, so I decided to fly first before ever sitting down to complete my knowledge test.  Looking back with my PPL in hand, I've learned a few lessons that I'm going to apply to this IFR ticket:

The Plan
Study first, fly later.  One of the reasons why I think it took me so long to initially complete my PPL is because I didn't complete my knowledge test first.  Once I did, concepts seemed to come easier to me, having the understanding of how it affects the flight.  Before I ever get in the plane to train for instrument flying, I will make certain that I have a passing grade on my knowledge test first.

The Plane
Once the written test is complete, it's time to jump in the plane, and a familiar one at that.  After trying to figure out how to save as much money as possible for this rating, I will be flying the same plane I complete my PPL checkride in, a 1971 Piper Cherokee 140.  This particular plane has had a 160hp upgrade and features a Garmin 430 WAAS.  Since I began flying this plane, Piper has become my favorite aircraft company, thanks to this plane's stability and easiness to fly.  I also happen to be a sucker for low wings.



1971 Piper Cherokee 140

The Timeline
Strategically planning for this new certificate has been fun for me, and if I have my cards right, I plan to start my instrument training the same week I started (and finished) my PPL.  This will be the first week of August.  I plan to sit for my written test sometime in July, giving me about 2 and a half months to prepare.  In the meantime, I have my simulator to use to practice shooting approaches. My foggles (view limiting device) and kneeboard have been ordered and should be arriving later this week.  Once I get into the flying portion, I've budgeted enough money to keep me flying on a constant basis each month until I'm ready for the checkride, which I'm giving about a year.  Personally, I don't want it to take that long, but that's my set goal.

So there it is, my next step into this crazy obsession with aviation.  I am looking forward to the challenges, frustrations, and joys this new rating will bring.  Here's to the quest for IFR!