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 flying a Beechcraft Baron G58 with G1000 to practice real-world IFR decision-making under icing, weight/fuel, and oxygen considerations.
Scenario:
LOFT #6: KRNO → KMFR — You are a small business owner flying from Reno to Medford for an important client meeting, with your child on board. The Baron has supplemental oxygen but is not pressurized. You are near maximum gross weight, forcing a tradeoff between fuel and payload. Forecasts show widespread snow and icing with potential oxygen requirements at MEAs. External pressure from business and family increases the challenge. Includes pre-brief (30 min), AATD session (~2.5 hrs), and post-flight debrief (30 min).
What we do in the AATD:
- IFR departure from Reno and enroute climb in icing conditions
- High-altitude cruise planning and oxygen regulations review
- Arrival into Medford with three instrument approaches as briefed
- Missed approach and standard holding procedures
- Alternate planning and possible diversion to KLMT
- ATC communications and checklist discipline
- G1000 monitoring and cross-check
- Automation management and workload balancing
Briefing focus (before engine start):
- Weather & alternate planning – When do KLMT or other alternates become mandatory?
- Performance & weight tradeoffs – How do you balance payload vs. fuel endurance?
- Oxygen regulations – What are the legal limits and practical considerations with a child on board?
- Icing awareness – How do you plan for exits and minimum icing altitudes?
- Avionics setup – How do you verify correct procedures, CDI source, and mode selections?
In-flight focus:
- Decision-making – At what point do you divert to KLMT instead of forcing Medford?
- Situational awareness – How do you maintain terrain and weather awareness in snow and IMC?
- Communication – What phrasing helps negotiate reroutes, holds, or diversions with ATC?
- Monitor & cross-check – How do you detect unreliable airspeed if pitot heat fails in icing?
- Workload management – How do you prepare flows and checklists to stay ahead of the aircraft?
- Automation discipline – How do you adapt if automation fails in turbulence or IMC?
Scenario cues:
- Icing at MEA altitudes, pitot heat squawk noted in logbook
- Weight limitations force fuel vs payload tradeoff
- Oxygen requirements above 12,500 ft with child on board
- External pressure from important meeting and family passenger
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 (About Aviator.nyc):
Optional study resources (Basic):
Contact
+1 (347) 450-7519 · hello@aviator.nyc · Contact Form
See how we help:
New pilots in NYC ·
Certified pilots in NYC