Instrument Flying by Richard Taylor

[22 others]

I just ordered a copy of Instrument Flying by Richard Taylor because I've heard that it's well-written and I will begin working on my IFR ticket in the new year.  Amazon has used copies for $4 if anybody has interest. (1 cent  + 3.99 shipping).

 

I'm working through the Sporty's videos. Don't know if I can handle 12 hours of Martha's hair. 

Are there any other must-read books out there? 

[BigTex]

You get used to her... She actually grew on me as the lessons went on... John's the one that had a hard time listening too.

[Bob_Belville]

Great to hear you're going to get a rating. You'll be happy you spent the time and the money to become a better pilot and you'll be able to get much more out of your flying.

 

It's been 37 years since I got my instrument ticket so it is possible that things have changed. Maybe not much. I remember that I took a weekend crash course in Atlanta (PDK?) and took the written on the Monday morning. Pretty painless but perhaps not for everyone.

 

I had my first Mooney at the time and was able to do quite a bit of the flying part in IMC. I think this was a lot more useful than being under the hood. The check ride went very smoothly.

[carusoam]

The old texts may be light on new technology...

The ones I read may have mentioned them, but they had not written about WAAS based approaches yet.

You will want to read at least two versions or authors to get a nicer, full picture.

Best regards,

-a-

[ryoder]

I found King Schools to be much better for the knowledge test than Sportys. After Sportys and Gleim I still felt unprepared so I used King online and it finally clicked.

[flyboy0681]

I read the Taylor book right after I got my rating earlier this year. He really hammered home a lot of the practical information that your typical CFI doesn't go over, It was definitely worth the $5 I spent on it. But a lot of of it is dated, especially when he talked about giving yourself enough time to start up, taxi, run-up and depart when calling for your clearance over a pay phone.

 

I used the King online course, and as Tex said, you get used to it. Big hair, orange jumpsuits, John's receding hairline and all.

[dfgreene61]

I agree that the King course is best for test prep.  I have both and just use the Sporty's videos to help me fall asleep.

[bonal]

I got the Sportys complete IFR course and went through all the curriculum learned a lot but felt they really did not give me a complete syllabus still was useful. Hope I will be able to pursue the rating but I fear I need to spend some AU's on the airplane to get it IFR certified.

[BigTex]

I actually did the King and was underwhelmed with it... For me it was way too dated.  It might be okay for an IFR written prep but for me, I was looking for a comprehensive IFR Ground School course. I ended up purchasing the Jeppesen IFR online course and I found it to be head and shoulders above anything else I used and believe me, I purchased almost all of them!  If I was looking for something to just pass the written, I'd go with Gleim but if you want something that goes well beyound what you need to know for the FAA test, you can't beat the Jeppesen online course.  Of course, it's not cheap... Basically you get what you pay for...

 

My two cents.

[Marauder]

I agree that the King course is best for test prep. I have both and just use the Sporty's videos to help me fall asleep.

It didn't matter which product I used, I fell asleep. I bet you I watched Martha and John a hundred hours for each hour of video they made. I nailed the exam, but then again, I was well rested for it.

[DAVIDWH]

John and Martha.

 

No comparison.

[Htwjr]

I just took my instrument written a few weeks ago and agree that John and Martha are the way to go. I started with Sportys and then bought the King course. I just got my plane instrument certified and have a few hours of instruction completed. I have been watching the Sportys videos to help with the flight training but I liked the King couse best for the written.

[Deb]

The FAA has updated the Instrument Flying Handbook and may be worth a look, particularly since it's a free download. Rod Machado has 2 texts: Instrument Pilot's Handbook and Instrument Pilot's Survival Manual, both informative and written with his humor. Any of the written test prep books with the questions will get you through the written (but won't give you the knowledge base you'll actually want or need).

[N9453V]

I've used John and Martha for everything from Private to ATP. My lowest score was 93% on the ATP written. They are by far the best.

 

-Andrew

[ryoder]

John and Martha rock for written test prep. They basically show you how to answer each question on the test and give you tips in case you forget something, such as looking in the front of the test book for symbology etc.

[triple8s]

My CFI told me "when Martha starts looking good, you're ready"

[schule]

Testing = Sheppard Air.

[midlifeflyer]

Great to hear you're going to get a rating. You'll be happy you spent the time and the money to become a better pilot and you'll be able to get much more out of your flying.

 

It's been 37 years since I got my instrument ticket so it is possible that things have changed. Maybe not much. I remember that I took a weekend crash course in Atlanta (PDK?) and took the written on the Monday morning. Pretty painless but perhaps not for everyone.

 

I had my first Mooney at the time and was able to do quite a bit of the flying part in IMC. I think this was a lot more useful than being under the hood. The check ride went very smoothly.

 

No, other than the availability of CD/DVD and online solutions, hasn't changed that much. My guess is you are referring to the Aviation Seminars weekend ground school  (yep, they are still around). A day and a half of cramming followed immediately by the test while the stuff is fresh in your mind. I used it for my private, instrument and commercial. Did Gleim test prep (computerized practice exam, not the audio/video course) for my CFI and CFII.

 

Two things to note about the choices: First is that whether you like or hate Martha's hair or Gleim's written materials or Machado's sense of humor is strictly a matter of person preference.

 

The second is to be aware that there are two completely different types of courses out there. One is geared solely to passing the knowledge test. To stick with King, you can see the differences on their website. The "Written Only" is geared to passing the knowledge test. The "Checkride only" is more the ground portion of flight training and (I don't know about King specifically; but the Sporty's ) some of these will follow a syllabus - I found it particularly helpful with my students who tended to be professionals with little time to spare. I simply followed the same syllabus, which allowed my student to prepare before a lesson and review after a lesson as many times as he wanted).

 

Most providers have both and often have them combined, but I think it's important to understand there is a difference. I recall one pilot who bought an expensive DVD "flight" course and was sorely disappointed because it didn't hep him pass the knowledge test.

[Marauder]

My CFI told me "when Martha starts looking good, you're ready"

Now that is some funny stuff! Is it just me or in her younger days she looked a bit like Theodore from the Chipmunks?

[triple8s]

I did score a 92 on the IFR written..after the King indoctrination

[flyboy0681]

I did score a 92 on the IFR written..after the King indoctrination

 

I scored a 97 using King, Gleim and taking mock online tests. The online tests clinched it because I started seeing a pattern in the way they were written and was immediately able to eliminate one of the answers.

 

My goal was to get the highest score I could because I knew that anything that I got wrong would have to be covered in detail by the DPE and I didn't want to prolong the oral any longer than I had to.

[ryoder]

On the written, mark and skip the fuel computation questions that eat up so much time. If a question takes longer than 45 seconds to answer mark it and move on. At the end see how many you marked and tackle them in order of expediency and comfort level. I actually guessed on some calculations because I knew my score was high enough and I was ready to go home. Still got above 94 if I recall.

[flyboy0681]

On the written, mark and skip the fuel computation questions that eat up so much time. If a question takes longer than 45 seconds to answer mark it and move on. At the end see how many you marked and tackle them in order of expediency and comfort level. I actually guessed on some calculations because I knew my score was high enough and I was ready to go home. Still got above 94 if I recall.

 

Excellent advice. And unless you are really good at the E6-B, get an electronic one. I bought a used Sporty's unit on eBAY for a few bucks and used it on practice tests to the point where my fingers were dancing on the keypad and I had the correct calculation ready in a matter of seconds.

[ryoder]

I got a Sportys E6B for Christmas! Better late thqn never. Ill use it on my commercial and CFI written and checkrides.

[carusoam]

I memorized the those questions/answers because they take a long time. I was young and had excess memory skills...

Do it while you are still young!

Best regards,

-a-