Somewhat surprisingly, many of the challenges of learning to be a proficient IFR pilot are the same as those one encounters when just getting started as a student pilot. One of the toughest skills for brand-new pilots to master — talking on the radio — is equally challenging for pilots getting their instrument ticket or just trying to be more proficient with their instrument skills.
The good news is that many VFR pilots already have the skills to be effective communicators in the IFR environment, especially those who have a lot of experience flying VFR in busy airspace. While it’s true that the kinds of requests you make to ATC under IFR are different from those in VFR — like hold clearances — the bottom line is that what makes for effective communications in the clear also works in the clouds.
