Going IFR is definitely a great way to navigate to busy airports. Filing trims workload; the script’s in place for airspace, navigation, traffic and much of the weather, ’cause you’ve planned ahead. But the system doesn’t remove all the surprises, especially when traffic starts piling up.
The Fine Print
At least you’re starting with a solid flight plan. As it’s unlikely anyone will get direct from Juneau, Wisconsin to the Twin Cities, you’re doing some homework. The destination is St. Paul South-Fleming Field, where you and a couple of friends will pick up a rideshare to the Mall of America. The direct-to runs right along the southern length of a MOA, over a Class D military airport, and a Restricted Area. You play defensive and file to go around all of that while including outbound, enroute and inbound checkpoints: RANDO DLL HERMNN WEASL
