Register

Staying Engaged

Gemini Sparkle

Key Takeaways:

  • The author highlights the revival of the "Rusty Pilot" educational series and AOPA's intention to expand this concept to an IFR refresher program.
  • The EAA-sponsored IMC Club is presented as an effective existing model for IFR proficiency, utilizing monthly scenario-based discussions of real-world encounters.
  • These ground-based sessions are crucial for pilots to refresh IFR knowledge, discuss complex scenarios, stay current on regulations, and maintain situational awareness, serving as a cost-effective alternative to actual flight time.
See a mistake? Contact us.

Recently I attended a Rusty Pilot session and learned (or re-learned as the case may be) several aspects of our aviating world that laid dormant in my little gray cells for far too long. Although I have been an active presenter of this constructive AOPA educational series for three years, it has been on hold for the past two years and is now being revived.

My ears perked up when the presenter mentioned that AOPA wants to expand the Rusty Pilot concept to the instrument environment with an IFR refresher program. Of course, the “blind flying” group (as we were called in the early days) has had a monthly forum in many parts of the country for over a decade with the EAA sponsored IMC Club. (https://www.eaa.org/IMC). The referenced website can provide the location of a club near you and their meeting time and place. With the advent of the coronavirus, many chapters have been using video conferencing on the internet to continue their sessions.

Ready to Sell Your Aircraft?

List your airplane on AircraftForSale.com and reach qualified buyers.

List Your Aircraft
AircraftForSale Logo | FLYING Logo
Pilot in aircraft
Sign-up for newsletters & special offers!

Get the latest stories & special offers delivered directly to your inbox.

SUBSCRIBE