How bad is getting your beginning instrument training in the actual aircraft? It is terrible. The instrument rating is not about flying the aircraft. Yes, I know I will get arguments on that, but instrument training is about PROCEDURE. Let me repeat that. It is about PROCEDURE.
We have reviewed many pilots who started their instrument training in the aircraft and have problems. The problems are either with the instructor or they just can’t grasp the procedures. In almost every case it is because they don’t have the foundation to fly the gauges, not the airplane.
The magic beginning words are ATTITUDE INSTRUMENTS. If you cannot fly the basic instruments and put the plane where you want to in regard to the instruments, then you don’t have it. Sorry, but you have to be able to make those gauges “talk” and by that I mean they have to work for you, not you reacting to them “all over the place.” Remember, the check ride is hand flown.
Every new student we work with gets a review of their abilities. We throw some basic activities at them in the motion sims and see what they can do. We then tell them what we see and what needs to be done to meet their goals. We personally work out a schedule of the training they need. The training is in blocks so that one block is finished before moving to the next.
Call us for an instrument flight review. Steve, Bert, Kent or myself are ready to work with you.