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Aviation insurance underwriters require recurrent training annually. Pilots must demonstrate continued competence in all skills acquired in successful completion of the initial course. At times where the pilot has minimal experience and is flying a more complex and high performance aircraft, the underwriter may require additional hours.

The curriculum for recurrent training represents a reduced version of the initial 430 and 530 training program. Where the pilot may have acquired additional equipment in the aircraft, such as GPS or MFD, we will integrate this new equipment into the instrument panel training. Pilots need to become familiar with the entire operation of such new equipment before employing it under instrument operating conditions.

Recurrent training takes between two to three days to complete, with about twelve hours spent in ground school and three to five hours flight training. The ultimate goal again is demonstrated pilot proficiency under normal, emergency, and instrument flight conditions. The training company, such as In Flight Review acts as the surrogate of the aviation insurance underwriter, ensuring that the pilot trainee possesses the required skills to safely conduct flight operations, to maintain the aircraft in an airworthy condition, and to exercise good judgement in flight.

Pilots successfully completing recurrent training receive a course completion certificate, biennial flight review, and instrument proficiency check.

COURSE REQUIREMENTS

Generally, this type of training requires pilots to attend a course, which incorporates a specific number of ground and flight hours. The initial course is normally three to five days in length, depending upon aircraft complexity. Insurance underwriters approve only training companies which offer training by certified instructors along with a course of instruction that meets their criteria.

GROUND SCHOOL

This portion of the program includes subjects on the specific aircraft systems, such as engines, propellers, electric/electronics, environmental, icing, and landing gear. There is instruction on aircraft performance, weight and balance, and emergency operations as well. Special aircraft flight characteristics are covered in the curriculum and unique maintenance requirements are specified. This training segment takes between sixteen to twenty hours to complete.

INITIAL AND RECURRENT FLIGHT TRAINING

The flight portion requires between five to ten hours in the aircraft. Transition into the aircraft consists of normal take-off, climb power settings, steep turns, slow flight, stalls, and Vmca and drag demos if the aircraft is a twin-engine model. In a pressurized aircraft several flights to altitude are made to familiarize the pilot with the flight characteristics of that environment and include the use of on-board weather detection equipment. We demonstrate emergency and rapid decompression exercises during these flights. All GPS, AP/FD, and other integrated flight operational equipment are operated during the high altitude flight to ensure operational compliance at altitude.


We teach pilots judgment on weather decisions, choice of flight altitudes considering wind and turbulence, and the appropriate engine power settings depending upon range or aircraft speed requirements. We demonstrate descent planning and ATC high altitude arrival procedures, such as STARs. In order to ensure pilots can operate in IMC conditions, we teach a variety of instrument approaches, holds, partial panel, and unusual attitude recoveries.

Pilots must demonstrate proficiency in all areas of aircraft operations. The instructor must be convinced that the client pilot possesses the ability to handle the aircraft in a multitude of situations where the safe outcome of flight is never in doubt.

Upon completion of the initial training course, client pilots receive a certification of completion, biennial flight review, and instrument proficiency check.

TRAINING AIDS

State of the art laptop and focus projector, as well as actual aircraft parts, are used to help the learning process. Additionally, the Pilot's Operating Handbook, Manufacturer's Service Bulletins, Service Letters, Airworthiness Directives, and IFR manuals are used.

CERTIFICATION STANDARDS

IFR's only business is training pilots. Our standards are high to assure the maximum potential for safety. Evaluation is accomplished by written, oral, and practical testing. Every trainee that receives an IFR completion certificate has demonstrated that he or she has a thorough understanding and proven ability in the following areas:

•  Understanding the systems of their airplane, including GPS & weather radar

•  Demonstrated competence to perform all practical maneuvers required for the level of pilot certification held by the client

•  Demonstrated ability to make decisions showing the good judgement that will enable the pilot to act as a safe pilot at all times

IFR's training programs are designed to make safe, competent, and proficient pilots. It is IFR's policy never to compromise its standards. If trainees are unsuccessful in meeting the set standards, IFR will continue to work with them for the additional time needed to meet the standards. IFR has never and will never issue a completion certificate to anyone who does not meet these standards.