Using flaps on IFR approach
 

Shooting an instrument approach in Cessna 172, when do you guys lower your flaps?

Do the T's at the FAF...Time, Tires, Trailing Edge, Throttle, Tune and Talk...at least that is what I was taught and what I've used so far.

...or land without them...

I never taught my students to use flaps on instrument approaches in a single. Looking back this might have been a mistake. I agree with the flaps at the FAF. But I would only (give them/due) one notch at that time. Then I would make sure I was fully configured by 1000'AGL. Just like the airlines.

Its been awhile since I taught so Im not sure if that could overload someone early on in training.

I normally apply flaps just before the FAF so that I am trimmed and configured for the final segment, especially on the ILS. If I am practicing approaches I don't use flaps until I am actually doing a full stop. I guess each have their own technique.

I always taught the first notch of flaps. Atleast you're within Vfe at this point. The last thing you want to do is break out at mins and not be configured to land or atleast have the ability to add another notch or so. After one experience of floating halfway down the runway because you're too fast and having to go-around and you'll want those flaps.

Im 1 week away from my instrument check ride and I've been practicing my approaches without flaps.I keep 90 knot all the way to DH/DA or MDA and then I apply one notch or may be 2...depending.But tomorrow I will try to use them at FAF.let you know how It go.

glide slope intercept is usually when I do it. If I want to get in a bit faster, I'll do it at the OM. That is for an ILS. Non Precision at FAF, if there is no FAF I'll do it on a 3 mile final. Runway in sight I'll lower the other 20 degrees. Usually r/w in sight is 20 degrees, and short final 30 degrees.

When I was training for IFR, i'd keep it slow, flaps 10' etc... Now it's 120kt finals in about anything with a piston, anything with turbine it just depends on my mood and how low the bases are.

With students, dependent on the situation but typically 1 notch at glide intercept and on speed and stabilized which really helps if you are new to IFR ops. When I fly the 172/82/206 I fly the approach at Vne then after breaking out do a full slip until flap speed then full flaps and come out of the slip as flaps are extending and touch down on speed. The key though was to not use the slip to lose Alt but to maintain glide slope only which bleeds a ton of A/S. Try that on your checkride.

I always wanted to fly freight.