From TOD, To MAP And Beyond

Your instrument training was all about the physical tasks of flying approaches, missed approaches and holds. Your CFII didn’t spend a lot of time on en route descents, or an efficient way to get prepared for those close-in, “slam-dunk” procedures...you’d pick up all that with experience flying “in the system” after passing your instrument check ride. At least that was the unspoken understanding. Trouble is, you’ve been flying IFR for a while, even completing a couple of instrument proficiency checks since passing the practical test, but those quick IPCs focused on the same terminal procedures you’ve been flying since your instrument training began, and you’re starting to wonder if there’s an easier, more efficient, better way to get from cruise altitude to the ground.

Tom Turner

Monday, April 22, 2013 at 12:00 AM ET

Verified

Key Takeaways:

Instrument flight training often neglects efficient en route descents and comprehensive approach preparation, leading general aviation pilots to adopt improvised methods for these high-workload phases.
Pilots should utilize the "Top of Descent" (TOD) concept, easily calculated by modern GPS or manually, to plan a smooth, constant-rate descent from cruise altitude to the approach's initial altitude.
Before and during the approach, pilots must commit critical "ADM" (minimum Altitude, FAF-to-MAP Distance, and initial Missed approach procedure) information to memory and use short checklists to reduce workload and maintain focus on flying the aircraft.

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Trouble is, you’ve been flying IFR for a while, even completing a couple of instrument proficiency checks since passing the practical test, but those quick IPCs focused on the same terminal procedures you’ve been flying since your instrument training began, and you’re starting to wonder if there’s an easier, more efficient, better way to get from cruise altitude to the ground. The made-up-as-you-go method you’ve come up with in the absence of an IFR internship like the corporate and airline pilots get early in their careers just isn’t getting it done for you anymore.