22 September 2014 1313 Zulu
I just completed a 2-day IFR Bootcamp, offered by PilotWorkshops.com, and hosted by Al Waterloo at Lansing Municipal Airport in Lansing, IL (KIGQ). It was a valuable 2-day experience to say the least. The facilities at this Bookcamp were superb. There was more than ample space for the “classroom” elements of the camp, and the simulator operated well, with only a couple of minor (and quickly fixable) hiccups. The simulator was linked to a live (simulated) ATC controller so my voice communications unfolded as they would on an actual flight. This alone is a remarkable–and valuable–step up in instrument instruction.
Let me add quickly that Al Waterloo is a superior instrument instructor. He is a wealth of knowledge on IFR content and a master with Foreflight. He goes well beyond just showing the perfunctory tools on Foreflight to showing and demonstrating the fuller powers of Foreflight to file, fly, amend flight plans, execute arrival and departure procedures, and perform approaches. He also showed me how to set up the new weight and balance feature on Foreflight.
With respect to the ground portion of the program, I could not have been happier with the instruction. Al reviewed a myriad of important IFR procedures and protocols that were invaluable. I took copius notes, but I wish I had all this training on film. I could review it once home!
All in all, I am glad that I attended this IFR Bootcamp. I must say I flew back to Columbus, OH believing that I gained invaluable skills, and reaffirming in my own mind the value of securing recurrent training from a skilled CFII.
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Leave a Reply