Accredited Activity Information

There is a cost for this activity.

Advanced  IFR Proficiency Clinic - Part of the third annual Spring to Proficiency program from Community Aviation held at the EAA Pilot Proficiency Center at Oshkosh April 28-30, 2025.

Description: Sharpen your instrument flying skills with our intensive three-day Advanced IFR Clinic, designed to take your IFR proficiency to new heights. This immersive simulator-based program provides pilots with hands-on experience in realistic, challenging IFR scenarios with expert instruction.

Whether you're recently instrument rated or an experienced IFR pilot looking to enhance your skills, this clinic helps you become more confident and proficient in the IFR environment. Using Redbird LD simulators with both analog and G1000 panels, you'll practice approaches, departures, holds, and emergency procedures in a risk-free environment with immediate instructor feedback and specialized scenarios unavailable in aircraft training.

Don't just maintain currency, build true IFR proficiency and mastery that will serve you well when facing challenging conditions in the real world. By participating in this clinic you will gain the following knowledge and flight skills through classroom work and simulation missions in an FAA approved AATD:

• Advanced Decision-Making - Develop superior risk assessment skills and personal weather minimums for IFR operations, with special emphasis on adverse weather scenarios and emergency management
• Precision Instrument Flying - Master precise aircraft control using Control Performance Profiles, stabilized approaches, and proper instrument scan techniques in both traditional and glass cockpit environments
• Complex IFR Procedures - Execute demanding departure, arrival, and approach procedures including DME arcs, procedure turns, and circling approaches to ACS standards
• Navigation and Systems Management - Navigate confidently through modern IFR environments including RNAV approaches with various minimums (LNAV, LP, LPV, LNAV/VNAV) while effectively managing advanced avionics systems
• Emergency and Abnormal Procedures - Handle system failures, lost communications, and partial panel operations with confidence through realistic scenario-based training in simulator missions
• Realistic IFR Simulation Scenarios - Apply all skills in challenging real-world IFR scenarios that integrate multiple procedures, weather challenges, and decision points to build comprehensive proficiency beyond basic currency requirements

Syllabi Details: Knowledge and Flight Activities at the clinic are based on the following FAASTeam syllabi:

Syllabus S-BK1-W-1.0-01 Risk Management

Topics/Maneuvers/Tasks:

• Identifying and mitigating IFR-specific hazards and associated risks
• Using the PAVE checklist in the IFR environment
• Decision-making in adverse weather:
  • Icing conditions assessment and contingency planning
  • Convective activity avoidance strategies
  • Low ceilings and visibility decision points
• Using Flight Risk Assessment Tools (FRAT) for IFR operations
• Risk assessment for challenging approaches and procedures
• Risk components in IFR operations:
  • Risk likelihood during different phases of IFR flight
  • Risk severity analysis for various instrument scenarios
• Using a Risk Assessment Matrix for IFR go/no-go decisions
• Mitigating risk through proper planning and alternate procedures

Primary FAA-approved source documents related to these topics/maneuvers/tasks:

Risk Management Handbook (FAA-H-8083-2A) 

• Chapter 1: Risk Management and the Decision-Making Process
• Chapter 2: Human Behavior
• Chapter 5: Assessing Risk
• Chapter 6: Mitigating Risk

Instrument Flying Handbook (FAA-H-8083-15B)

• Chapter 10: IFR Flight
• Chapter 11: Emergency Operations

Pilot's Handbook of Aeronautical Knowledge (FAA-H-8083-25B) 

• Chapter 2: Aeronautical Decision-Making
• Chapter 17: Aeromedical Factors (as they relate to IFR operations)

Supporting FAA-approved source documents related to these topics/maneuvers/tasks:

AC 60-22: Aeronautical Decision Making

Personal and Weather Risk Assessment Guide 

Pilot's Spatial Disorientation

AC 91-74B: Pilot Guide: Flight in Icing Conditions 

Syllabus S-BK2-W-1.0-01 Aircraft Operations

Topics/Maneuvers/Tasks:

• IFR Clearances interpretation and procedures:
  • Hold for Release clearances
  • In-Flight/Pop-up clearances
  • Towered and non-towered airport procedures
• Arrival Procedures in IMC
• Departure Procedures:
  • Diverse Departure procedures
  • Obstacle Departure Procedures (ODP)
  • Standard Instrument Departures (SID)
  • Departure Visual Climb Areas (DVA)
  • Visual Climb Over Airport (VCOA)
• Aircraft performance considerations in IMC
• Systems management during instrument operations
• Cockpit resource management for single-pilot IFR

Primary FAA-approved source documents related to these topics/maneuvers/tasks:

Instrument Flying Handbook (FAA-H-8083-15B)

• Chapter 4: Flight Instruments
• Chapter 5: Flight Instrument Systems
• Chapter 7: Aircraft Performance
• Chapter 8: The National Airspace System
• Chapter 10: IFR Flight

Instrument Procedures Handbook (FAA-H-8083-16B) 

• Chapter 1: Departure Procedures
• Chapter 2: En Route Operations
• Chapter 4: Approaches

Airplane Flying Handbook (FAA-H-8083-3C) 

• Chapter 11: Transitions to Complex Aircraft
• Chapter 17: Emergency Procedures

Supporting FAA-approved source documents related to these topics/maneuvers/tasks:

Aeronautical Information Manual (AIM)

• Chapter 5: Air Traffic Procedures
• Chapter 5-4: IFR Operations

Instrument Rating Airman Certification Standards (FAA-S-ACS-8B)

• Section I: Preflight Preparation
• Section II: Preflight Procedures
• Section III: Air Traffic Control Clearances and Procedures

AC 61-98D: Currency Requirements and Guidance for the Flight Review and Instrument Proficiency Check 

Syllabus S-BK3-W-1.0-01 Elective: Advanced IFR Navigation Concepts

Topics/Maneuvers/Tasks:

• Modern approach procedures and technologies:
  • ILS, LOC, LOC-BC, LDA approaches
  • VOR approaches
  • RNAV approaches (LNAV, LP+V, LP, LNAV+V, LPV, LNAV/VNAV)
• Advanced navigation techniques:
  • DME Arc procedures
  • Procedure Turns/Course Reversals
  • Circling approaches
  • Contact approaches
• Missed approach procedures and considerations
• Holding Procedures (Published and Unpublished)
• Glass cockpit and traditional navigation integration
• GPS outage contingency procedures
• Avionics management for complex IFR operations

Primary FAA-approved source documents related to these topics/maneuvers/tasks:

Instrument Procedures Handbook (FAA-H-8083-16B) 

• Chapter 3: Arrivals
• Chapter 4: Approaches
• Chapter 5: Approach Procedures
• Chapter 6: Airborne Navigation Databases

Advanced Avionics Handbook (FAA-H-8083-6) 

• Chapter 2: Electronic Flight Displays
• Chapter 3: Navigation
• Chapter 4: Automated Flight Control

Instrument Flying Handbook (FAA-H-8083-15B)

• Chapter 6: Airplane Attitude Instrument Flying
• Chapter 9: The Instrument Flight Rules

Supporting FAA-approved source documents related to these topics/maneuvers/tasks:

Aeronautical Chart User's Guide

• Instrument Procedures section

Terminal Procedures Publications

• Current approach plates and procedures

AC 90-108: Use of Suitable Area Navigation (RNAV) Systems on Conventional Routes and Procedures 

• Guidance on modern navigation technologies

Syllabus S-BF2-W-1.0-01 Flight Operations away from airports/heliports/seaplane bases

• Precision aircraft control during simulated IMC using Control Performance Profiles
• Emergency procedures during IFR operations:
  • Systems failures management (AHRS, autopilot, vacuum system)
  • Lost communications procedures
  • Alternator/electrical system failures
• Maintaining aircraft control during system malfunctions
• Navigation during system failures
• Holding procedures and techniques
• Enroute procedures and airspace considerations
• Aircraft control during challenging weather scenarios

Primary FAA-approved source documents related to these topics/maneuvers/tasks:

Instrument Flying Handbook (FAA-H-8083-15B)

• Chapter 6: Airplane Attitude Instrument Flying
• Chapter 9: The Instrument Flight Rules
• Chapter 11: Emergency Operations

Instrument Procedures Handbook (FAA-H-8083-16B) 

• Chapter 2: En Route Operations
• Chapter 3: Arrivals

Pilot's Handbook of Aeronautical Knowledge (FAA-H-8083-25B) 

• Chapter 12: Weather Theory
• Chapter 13: Aviation Weather Services
• Chapter 16: Navigation

Supporting FAA-approved source documents related to these topics/maneuvers/tasks:

Instrument Rating Airman Certification Standards (FAA-S-ACS-8B)

• Section IV: Navigation Systems
• Section V: Instrument Approach Procedures
• Section VI: Emergency Operations

AC 00-6B: Aviation Weather

• Understanding and managing weather enroute

AC 00-45H: Aviation Weather Services

• Weather resources for enroute operations

Syllabus S-BF3-W-1.0-01 Elective: Advanced Approach Procedures

• Execution of complex instrument approaches to ACS standards:
  • VOR with DME arc approaches
  • RNAV (GPS) approaches to minimums
  • Localizer back course approaches
  • Circling approaches in marginal conditions
  • Special case approach procedures (Washington National, etc.)
• Simulator mission scenarios for procedural mastery:
  • SoCal IFR
  • We're Going to Boeing
  • The Placid Bowl
  • Other challenging mission scenarios
• Home airport IFR procedures
• Execution of missed approaches and holding entries
• Transition between approach types
• Engine-out approach procedures
• Partial panel approach procedures

Primary FAA-approved source documents related to these topics/maneuvers/tasks:

Instrument Procedures Handbook (FAA-H-8083-16B) 

• Chapter 4: Approaches (all sections)
• Chapter 5: Approach Procedures
• Chapter 7: Helicopter Instrument Procedures (for comparative knowledge)

Instrument Flying Handbook (FAA-H-8083-15B) 

• Chapter 10: IFR Flight (approach sections)

Aeronautical Information Manual (AIM)

• Chapter 5-4: IFR Operations (approach sections)

Supporting FAA-approved source documents related to these topics/maneuvers/tasks:

Instrument Rating Airman Certification Standards (FAA-S-ACS-8B)

• Section V: Instrument Approach Procedures (all tasks)
• Section VI: Emergency Operations (partial panel operations)

Terminal Procedures Publications

• Current approach plates for practical application

General Aviation Pilot’s Guide to Preflight Weather Planning, Weather Self-Briefings, and Weather Decision Making

• Weather considerations specific to approach planning

Additional Information: This activity consists of three full days of training (April 28-30, 2025) at the EAA Pilot Proficiency Center in Oshkosh, WI. The program includes 12+ hours of simulator time with personal instruction, ground school, and group debriefs.

Pilots should be instrument rated and current or working toward currency. Bring your logbook and your EFB (e.g., iPad with ForeFlight). Participants will receive a "Proficiency in Pieces" tracking form to document specific procedures and approaches practiced.

Training will be conducted in Redbird LD (AATD) simulators with both analog and G1000 panel configurations. Advanced IFR scenario missions and exercises are designed to enhance both technical proficiency and aeronautical decision-making skills.

For more details and registration go to Spring to Proficiency 2025

For questions please contact: info@communityaviation.com