Product Overview

These workshops provide an in-depth analysis of weather and IFR flight planning. These are critical areas that are sorely lacking in IFR training, and pilots are left to master these vital skills on their own. IFR Weather, Planning & Tactics provides a structured approach that will have you better prepared to manage the complex and challenging environment of instrument flight.

This program moves beyond theory, focusing on practical tools and techniques that will make a difference in your flying. Our experts plan and conduct actual flights that will give you real experience in “putting it all together”. They use the latest online weather and flight planning tools to contend with challenging weather scenarios. You will benefit from the experience of planning and conducting these flights along with them. 

The workshops are delivered using the latest multimedia training techniques. They are easy to use and allow you to train at your convenience on your computer. They are loaded with graphics that will help you understand the important weather and flight planning concepts that are critical to IFR safety. 

Learn From The Best

Our instructors are some of the best in the business, with tons of practical tips and experience to share with you.

Bob Nardiello was the "Flight Instructor of the Year" in 2004 and "FAA Safety Counselor of the Year" in 2006 for the Windsor Locks Flight Standards District Office. He has over 10,000 hours of total flight experience, with more than 7,000 hours as a Flight Instructor. He currently holds CFI, CFII, MEI, and ATP ratings and serves as a Designated Pilot Examiner. Bob is the Assistant Chief Flight Instructor at a Part 141 Flight School and is also a seasoned  charter pilot flying a Cessna 421 and Citation Ultra.

Scott Dennstaedt is a nationally known aviation weather expert, having the unique qualifications of being a meteorologist and a CFII. In addition to teaching aviation weather, Scott is a flight instructor in technically advanced aircraft. He's a Columbia Factory Instructor and co-developed the Columbia Recurrent Training Program (CRTP) for the Columbia owners association. Scott is also a contributing editor at IFR magazine and has written articles for the Aviation Weather Center's publication called The Front.

Bob Martens is a nationally known speaker, consultant and aviation safety expert. He retired from the FAA after spending 17 years as a Safety Program Manager. In this role, he delivered hundreds of live seminars devoted to General Aviation safety. Bob retired from the USAF (rank of Colonel) in 2000 after 30 years of active and reserve duty. He was an Aircraft Commander in a C-5A and also served as Flying Safety Officer and Chief of Safety with the 439th AirWing. Bob has logged thousands of flight hours in both military and GA aircraft.

Description of Workshops

IFR Weather, Planning & Tactics is delivered on CD-ROM (download option is also available) and includes 10 multimedia workshops as well as an interactive review to test your knowledge. Workshops include...

	Top 10 Weather Myths - Aviation weather expert Scott Dennstaedt examines the top 10 weather myths and sets the record straight with the facts. Topics include turbulence, virga, mountain waves, radiation fog, t-storm clouds, airmets, icing, PIREPS and more.
	Proper Use of TAFs - TAFs are the most common tools pilots use for flight planning purposes. Like all weather products, they have important limitations that pilots must be aware of. In this short workshop, Scott Dennstaedt will explain a common mistake pilots make when using TAFs to plan cross country flights.
	Avoiding Thunderstorms and Severe Turbulence - One of the most difficult parts of flight planning is determining if thunderstorms or severe turbulence will affect your IFR trip, especially if precipitation is present along your route. Scott Dennstaedt shows you step-by-step how to identify the threat of convective turbulence and reviews the latest tools that give you the information you need.
	Avoiding Hazardous Weather Systems - Scott Dennstaedt had a first hand encounter with an upper level trough that nearly lead to serious trouble. He shares his experience and analyzes this weather system using a number of online weather tools. Finally, he explains how you can identify hazardous weather systems and factor them into your IFR planning and route selection.
	On Top - Flying Over a Weather System - Quite often, instrument pilots are faced with a difficult decision...should I fly through or over a weather system. Scott Dennstaedt tells you the specific conditions when over is better. Also, he shows you 5 online weather tools you must check to ensure you can stay on top.
	Flight Planning Best Practices: Part One - Bob Nardiello walks you through his process for planning an IFR trip, starting 36-48 hours before the flight. Monitoring the weather forecast will allow you to plan your route in advance and develop a window for departure on the day of the flight. He also explains the value of performing a "pre" pre-flight on your airplane a day or two before the flight.
	Flight Planning Best Practices: Part Two - Bob explains how he updates the weather picture in the 24 hours leading up to the flight, including departure, points en route, intermediate stops and destination. He refines his route, plans fuel stops and selects optimum altitudes for each leg of the flight. Finally, he'll tell you how terrain considerations and day versus night should be factored into your planning.
	IFR Cross Country Scenario: Part One - Bob Nardiello walks you through a real IFR flight planning scenario. The proposed route from Portland, ME to Atlanta, GA had its share of adverse weather. Bob takes you step by step through his planning process and shows you the tools he uses to develop an optimal flight plan for the weather he will face along his intended route.
	IFR Cross Country Scenario: Part Two - In this workshop, we fly the route from Portland, ME to Atlanta, GA. The leg from Richmond, VA to Atlanta required some tactical planning to avoid a line of heavy precipitation and cells moving across the route from the west. Bob reviews the options (continue, turn around, divert, fly around the back side of the front) and explains his strategy for evaluating each option.
	Accident Analysis: Beech C24 in a Thunderstorm - Why would any pilot fly into a level 5 thunderstorm? Clearly, a tragic outcome is inevitable in this scenario, yet even the most experienced pilots can make fatal errors in judgment. Bob Martens takes you through the sequence of events that lead to this accident.

Bonus Workshops!

  Order now, and we will send you a second program 
 "Aircraft Icing: Hazards and Prevention" as a FREE bonus.

This bonus program includes 6 additional workshops (available on CD-ROM or download), as well as an interactive review to test your knowledge. Workshops include...

	Why Ice is So Dangerous - Icing is one of the most hazardous weather conditions you can encounter. It negatively affects all four forces of flight! Bob Nardiello explains the impact icing has on performance and safety. He also provides an analysis of different cloud formations and the specific hazards they present.
	Structural Icing - Where and How It Deposits - Bob describes the different types of structural icing - wing, tail plane, propeller, pitot static, windshield and induction system icing. He explains how each of these will affect your airplane's performance as well as how to detect and counteract these hazardous conditions.
	Icing Precautions and Planning - Your preflight actions go a long way towards avoiding unexpected icing encounters. Bob reviews the critical information you must know, where to find it and how to develop a plan for avoiding icing conditions. He also describes some precautions you can take that will help you deal with inadvertent icing encounters.
	Surviving Ice Encounters - Part One - This module focuses on reducing icing hazards during the taxi, takeoff and climb phases of flight. Bob gives you 2 taxi tips and 5 takeoff and climb tips that will greatly improve your safety when ice is a concern. He also tells you when an emergency declaration and 180 degree turn are necessary.
	Surviving Ice Encounters - Part Two - Bob provides operational tips for dealing with icing hazards specific to enroute, descent, approach and landing. Topics covered include assessing options, exit strategy, freezing rain, proper use of autopilot, descent strategy and when no-flap landings are the best option.
	Accident Analysis: Cessna P210 in Ice - This accident scenario clearly points out the hazards of flying in icing conditions. As you'll see in this scenario, pilots must avoid conditions that cause structural icing that exceeds their aircraft's capabilities. Also, pilots must act quickly when ice starts to accumulate as it can have a dramatic and immediate impact on aircraft performance.

"Aircraft Icing: Hazards and Prevention" is a $79 value - FREE if you order today!

Here's What You'll Get

 Over 3 hours of specialized IFR training from top experts!

Your training kit includes: The 16 workshops described above on 2 CD-ROMs. These multimedia programs run on any computer. Simply slide in the disks and a menu will appear. No installation or downloads required! The workshops feature audio, graphics, illustrations, animation and easy navigation features. Download option also available. Additional Bonus: Online Weather Guide - contains updated links and descriptions for all the free online weather tools featured in these workshops. Additional Bonus: Transcripts Word-for-word transcripts are provided for all workshops (in PDF format). Print them out, a great place to take notes and review the material.

How To Order
We offer 2 convenient options to purchase this program. Our site uses technology
that ensures your personal and payment information is kept confidential and secure.

Option 1:  CDs Shipped To Your Door - $97 + shipping Includes all workshops and bonus materials! Runs on PC (including Vista) or Mac Ships next business day

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