I noted an interesting change to the Instrument Rating ACS released back in June last year. It used to be that per the ACS, a circling approach required a heading change of at least 90 degrees from the final approach course to the landing runway. That requirement is now gone, replaced with the requirement to Visually maneuver to a base or downwind leg appropriate for the landing runway and environmental conditions. Also, new language was added saying the pilot must not bank over 30 degrees.
The instrument rating and continuous learning enhance pilot safety by fostering a deeper understanding of weather, flight planning, and the rationale behind IFR procedures, ultimately encouraging avoidance of hazardous conditions.
Approach charts, developed under TERPS guidelines, feature meticulously detailed information and limitations (e.g., "NA at night" due to obstructions) that are critical for obstacle protection and safe navigation.
Aviation standards are subject to positive revisions, such as recent changes to the Instrument Rating ACS clarifying circling approach requirements and adding a bank angle limit for enhanced safety.
Complex weather analysis tools like Skew-T charts are often challenging for pilots to interpret, indicating a need for simplified instructional approaches to make them more accessible and practical for flight planning.
With winter flying in full swing, I wanted to share some thoughts I share with other pilots.
1. If you don’t get IFR (“The magazine for the accomplished pilot”), you should. It keeps the juices flowing and is chock full of insights mainly for instrument flying.
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