Instrument Training
 

Evening everyone, my first post here on Airline Pilot Forums:

I started my instrument training about a month ago and its been going great. Been doing a decent amt of time per week in an FTD (Redbird) here at KDXR (Danbury,CT). Great way to initially learn instrument and not worry about CFIT....

My book work has been a tedious task. I use an online GLEIM study method which worked very well for me on the private written. I am currently using their instrument course which provides great exposure to all the test questions in the FAA bank for the written.

I write to say i am stumped at NDB's / Navigational questions (time to distance / chart interpretation). I find myself on a solid streak of good practice material then a downward spiral when i hit the hard topics. I am Frustrated!!.

Anyone have any good insight for study methods / interpretation for some of these written questions?

- John S

I remember talking with my doctor (not my AME), he said getting his instrument rating was as mentally challenging as a semester of med school.

I'm not sure how Gleim does it, a paragraph about the subject and then the questions that cover that idea? I know they say they require the least amount of study and just cover what you need to know for the test. Think about this, this is your life. Granted, I can count the number for for real NDB approached I've shot in 30+ years without taking my shoes off but you need to understand the basics so later you know what the gee whiz magic is doing. Otherwise you're just a trained monkey.

Ok, sorry for the rant. Draw it out. Plane is here, wind is from here, NDB and airport. Wind is going to push me, needle is going to keep pointing to the NDB, I need to turn this way. Pay an instructor for half an hour with a chalk board. There are all sorts of sayings about turning towards (and past) the head of the needle going toward the station and away from (pulling) the needle going away from the station but you need to be able to visualize what's happening.

I still draw holding patterns. Humans are very visual creatures. You have to be able to "see" what's happening even if you're IFR.

The thing about NDB is that it's so easy it's hard! When I was getting my instrument rating my instructor told me that and I thought "that's a big help". As a CFII I can tell you that it's true. There's no easy way to learn NDB's or anything else for that matter. If your stuck on a concept using the material you have now you try some other material. I have a copy of Rod Michado's instrument book that I use sometimes. Some people like the the way he presents material, some don't. Getting some individual instruction from a CFI is a good suggestion. Just make sure it's a CFI that really understands NDB's, not all do. Also keep in mind that many of the questions on the FAA Knowledge Test are made to be tricky and have no practical application to navigating by NDB. Keep at it. If I can understand NDB anyone can.

Thanks for the 2 cents guys..

I have tried another source of information (ASA dvd's) and it seems to depict things differently. My CF-II is great! He has a lot of patience and hes a plethora of knowledge. He makes the same statements that NDB's are so easy they are difficult. They are actually his preferred approach method (dont ask me why).

If you guys remember a couple years back the gent who had to take command of a king air in FL , and ATC had to find a person who was proficient on king airs, and it happened to a be a pilot here in Danbury , CT.. thats my CF - II.. small world :)

I think half my battle is that im trying to shove too much of it down my throat, i did a better portion of the gleim course in under 3 weeks (while working full time, girlfriend, drinking, etc.).

I find VOR's are easier because of their direction headings / relations to VOR's with HSI presentations. NBD's have no real direction bearings other than to the station, and thats what makes it hard for me

I also found Machado's Instrument book to be extremely helpful. Like a poster above stated, getting the rating was rather stressful especially when I had to constantly switch hats between working man and pilot. Reading Machado always brought a smile or a laugh so it always helped relieve some stress and at the same time learn some valuable lessons.

AOPA magazine had a series of articles on instrument flying.

AOPA Online: Instrument Insights

Also FAAsafety.gov has a some valuable material on IFR stuff

https://faasafety.gov/gslac/ALC/course_catalog.aspx

Good luck on your rating.

Free Help
 

This is a FREE navigation simulator that may help you. You can change the instruments from VOR,NDB,HSI,RMI, exc... It is the definition of simple. Try the dual NDBs then hide the airplane. It is a great FREE tool!

VOR Navigation Simulator

I just have to say that I like how you threw in "drinking" as a norm during your weekly studying distractions haha

I just wanted to add that I like how you list "drinking" as a normal weekly study distraction :D