Discovering Situational Awareness in the Instrument World

Understanding IFR approaches, even before beginning instrument training, can help head off challenges when flying outside a favorite practice area.

Meg Godlewski

Tuesday, August 20, 2024 at 11:07 AM ET

Verified

Most private pilot candidates usually don’t learn about the IFR approaches until they begin their instrument training. [Credit: Meg Godlewski]

Key Takeaways:

VFR pilots, even without flight following, should monitor ATC frequencies like Approach to gain crucial situational awareness of IFR traffic operating in shared airspace and practice areas.
There's a gap in private pilot training where VFR pilots often remain unaware of IFR fixes and approach procedures, leading them to inadvertently fly near active IFR flight paths.
To improve safety and awareness, VFR pilots should proactively identify IFR congregation points by comparing instrument approach plates with VFR sectionals, understanding where IFR traffic operates relative to their usual practice areas.

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We were in the practice area south of the airport with the radio tuned to Seattle Approach.

Although we were not getting flight following—the request was denied because ATC was too busy—I insisted on monitoring the frequency. I was about to explain why to the learner when another pilot requested the RNAV 35 approach to the airport starting at ARWEL, an IFR fix a few miles to the east of us and about 1,000 feet above us as published.