Cost: There is a cost associated with this activity.
CFII-led, LOFT-style instrument session in an FAA-approved Advanced Aviation Training Device (AATD, non-motion). Designed for GA pilots who need to maintain or regain instrument currency under 14 CFR §61.57(c).
Scenario:
LOFT #4: KIFP → KVGT — Desert-to-urban IFR in a Bonanza G36 (G1000 NXi). It’s a hot afternoon in Laughlin/Bullhead City and you’re departing late toward North Las Vegas. Expect high density altitude, nearby terrain, busy airspace, and summer gust fronts. Friends are meeting you on arrival, adding schedule pressure. Includes pre-brief (30 min), AATD session (2.0 hrs), and post-flight debrief (30 min).
What we do in the AATD:
- Three instrument approaches at Las Vegas Area (LOC/RNAV/ILS/ as briefed)
- Tracking and intercepting courses
- Holding procedures
- Unusual attitude recovery (IFR)
- ATC communications and checklist discipline
- G1000 NXi monitoring and cross-check
- Automation management (mode awareness; reversion to raw data)
Briefing focus (before engine start):
- Weather & alternate planning – How do convective outflow, desert haze/smoke, and gusty winds influence your plan?
- Performance & terrain – With high DA and near-gross weight, what climb/obstacle margins and missed-approach gradients matter?
- Departure & airspace – What programming risks exist when loading the SID and managing Class B/complex airspace?
- Fuel & endurance – With a late departure, how do you structure reserves and alternates given heat/turbulence and possible vectors?
- Avionics setup – What’s your verification method to catch wrong fixes, alt constraints, or CDI source mismatches before taxi?
In-flight focus:
- Decision-making – If winds, ceilings, or visibility trend down, what’s your trigger to delay, divert, or change the approach?
- Situational awareness – How do you maintain terrain/airspace awareness while transitioning from desert to a busy terminal area?
- Communication – What phrasing helps negotiate deviations, speed control, and approach changes efficiently with ATC?
- Monitor & cross-check – How do you confirm lateral/vertical guidance and catch mode traps during transitions?
- Workload management – What do you brief/set early to stay ahead for vectors-to-final vs. full-procedure arrivals?
- Automation discipline – Which modes will you verbalize at every change, and how will you recover if automation misbehaves?
Scenario cues:
- High-DA departure with obstacle and missed-approach climb considerations
- Busy terminal environment with potential for last-minute approach/runway changes
- Late-day heat, gust fronts, and visibility variability over desert terrain
- Schedule pressure from passengers/ground transport
GA-focused instruction with airline-informed discipline: standardization (SOP), concise callouts, stabilized-approach gates, energy & automation management, and efficient avionics workflow—assessed to the FAA Instrument ACS; airport ops to Private ACS as trained (this is not Part 121 training).
Evaluation standard (applied by your instructor): Assessed to Instrument ACS; airport ops to Private ACS as trained.
Helpful links:
How to book:
- Choose duration & instructor. Select 2 hours ($380*) or 3 hours ($570*), and pick a CFII or “Any Available.”
- Select date & time. Use the calendar to choose a convenient slot.
- Enter your info. Provide your name, email, and required details, then confirm.
*Pricing as of Aug 2025
Quick booking: 3-Hour Lesson (Recommended) · 2-Hour Lesson
Optional study resources (Basic):
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