Mooney IFR Students' Thread

[rainman]

Just a comment about the King DVDs for the written.  I used them and took the practice tests provided. The actual written test was a breeze after that.  I felt very well prepared and passed last month.  Unfortunately my plane has been down the past several weeks (see Smoke in the Cockpit thread) but I plan that 2012 will be the year, and hopefully by March!

[ChristianGodin]

I own a Mooney M20J. I am newly IFR rated from Quebec, Canada. My problem is that my Mooney is not equiped enough to fly more advanced IFR. Missing is deice, stormscope and a bit more redondancies. I am flying down to the Caribben in two weeks for 16 days; I will try to fly the more i can with IFR flight plan but mostly in VFR or marginal VFRcondition. Looking forward to trade my M20J for an Encore. Monney matters for now. 

[rainman]

Has anyone used the Comm 1 DVD teaching program for IFR Communications? It seems very thorough in the demo.  I'll purchase it ($119) if folks who have used it found it worthwhile. The main thing about it seems to be a lot of interactive practice with the computer (you need to have a microphone for your computer).  Example: The program tells you if you've forgotten to mention something in the readback.  Any input.  Ray

[FlyingAggie]

Quote: ChristianGodin

I own a Mooney M20J. I am newly IFR rated from Quebec, Canada. My problem is that my Mooney is not equiped enough to fly more advanced IFR. Missing is deice, stormscope and a bit more redondancies. I am flying down to the Caribben in two weeks for 16 days; I will try to fly the more i can with IFR flight plan but mostly in VFR or marginal VFRcondition. Looking forward to trade my M20J for an Encore. Monney matters for now. 

[gregwatts]

I did my IFR training >15 yrs ago.......but I trained out of FXE which is a busy airport. I also went at least 3 times per week to to get the most out of my training. Stretching it out over a large span of time is counterproductive IMO. The IFR lingo and the rapid fire commands from ATC were, for me, great training and the intence radio ops have been extremely beneficial as I have traveled to others regions. I can't speak to videos or simulators,.....I didn't use them........just intense training.

On severe clear days, I still file IFR to stay in practice. I am one of those that believes the IR separates " the men from the boys". Everybody should have the IR. My opinion only!

[rainman]

Guys/Ladies, 

I just completed the Comm1 IFR radio communications training DVD.  I found it very helpful as I didn't have much ATC radio time previously. About nine hours of radio practice in a variety of situations from filing, clearance, ground, tower, departure, center, approach, emergencies, changes, etc. Worth the time and money.  Since my plane has been on the ground for the past six weeks after a smoke in the cockpit emergency, I had nothing better to do anyway! 

Ray