REFLECTOR:IFR Ticket

[reflector@tvbf.org]

In a message dated 8/7/03 6:27:30 AM Pacific Daylight Time, 
cjensen@dts9000.com writes:

<<  
 Now, the best way?  Any experience or opinions out there about the best,
 most efficient program? >>

If you are looking for speed that's one thing.  If you are looking for 
retention, IMHO, I would stay away from the 10 day wonders.  You only need 15hrs? 
(been a long time) with a CFII, not 40 to qualify for the check ride.  40 is the 
total actual or simulated time needed.  Not everyone has the situation I had 
but what I did was this.  I took the ground school/test first.  Next, I have a 
friend who I felt was a good safe IFR pilot (or make a new friend that is).  
He was willing and quite able to provide instruction as "safety pilot" and 
really showed me all the roped.  IFR is like welding, 10% instruction and 90% 
practice. The beauty was it not only helped me, but my buddy also got a good 
brushing up.  After about 25hrs of flying all the approches/holdings, enroute and 
such with my buddy, I "interviewed" (very important here) a CFII to do the 
final brushup, polishing and provide the indorsement.  My cost was aircraft/fuel 
(my own) and 10/15hrs. CFII.  There are a lot of highly qualified IFR pilots 
that in some cases can provide better instruction than some II's, but they have 
other interests than jumping through hoops for the ticket.

This is of course only one of may ways to go about it.  

If speed is what your looking for, in 30 seconds I can teach you how to ace 
any FAA written (without cheating).  You won't rememnber s#*t, but you'll pass. 
 I've always wondered about the 10 day thing and how much is retained.

TEC