Topic Category: IFR

SFRA (optional) SC

So you may have seen the video above in a previous TOPIC.  I’d still recommend going ahead and watching it once more since special use airspace is really just a special way for you to fail your checkride (and SFRA’s are some of the most special!). The SFRA A Special Flight Rules Area is really… Continue reading SFRA (optional) SC

IFR Weather Briefings SC

Brief Me up Scotty! Welcome to 2018, there are many ways now to get a weather briefing! You may remember calling into Flight Service as a private pilot student if you had a good CFI that made you do that at least once.  There’s a good chance though you do not give them a call… Continue reading IFR Weather Briefings SC

TEC Routes SC

Tower En Route Control So say you want to do a quick IFR flight from one airport in a “terminal” environment to another in a “terminal” environment (basically two airports close together covered by an approach controller).  This is when you could request to use TEC, or tower en route control.  i.e. Flying from KSRQ… Continue reading TEC Routes SC

VCOA SC

Visual Climb Over Airport (VCOA) A Visual Climb Over Airport (VCOA) procedure is a departure option for an IFR aircraft, operating in visual meteorological conditions equal to or greater than the specified visibility and ceiling. To visually conduct climbing turns over the airport to the published “climb−to” altitude from which to proceed with the instrument… Continue reading VCOA SC

Arrival Procedures SC

Aim for the STARs! Well first, what is a STAR?  A STAR is a Standard Arrival Procedure.  Much like a SID, it gives you a standard way to approach an airport, helps streamline traffic flow for ATC, and gives you terrain clearance! How do we use this? Well this is something you could file as… Continue reading Arrival Procedures SC

DVA SC

Diverse Vector Area (DVA) What in the heck is that!?  Well let’s translate from FAA to English: It’s an area that’s been pre-cleared by a FAA survey crew to ensure you will have obstacle protection if you accept a radar vector on departure from ATC. This means that as long as you comply with the… Continue reading DVA SC