Physical, Mathematical, Computer and Life Sciences › Physical Sciences
Instrument Flight Rules Flight Planning Training
Description
This course equips pilots with the advanced skills required to plan and execute Instrument Flight Rules (IFR) flights safely and in compliance with South African Civil Aviation Authority (SACAA) regulations. Learners will master the interpretation of aeronautical charts, weather analysis, fuel management, and flight plan filing to ensure efficient and compliant IFR operations.
Learning Outcomes
- Apply SACAA regulations and ICAO standards to plan an IFR flight from departure to destination, including alternate aerodromes.
- Analyze meteorological information, NOTAMs, and AIP supplements to determine weather minima and route suitability.
- Evaluate aircraft performance data (takeoff, climb, cruise, descent, landing) to calculate fuel requirements and weight and balance.
- Design a complete IFR flight plan using appropriate charts (SIDs, STARs, en-route, approach) and navigation aids.
- Demonstrate proficiency in using flight planning software and manual methods to file a flight plan with ATC.
- Implement risk management strategies to address contingencies such as engine failure, weather diversion, or communication failure.
Target Audience
This course is designed for licensed pilots seeking to add or renew their Instrument Rating (IR), as well as aviation professionals involved in flight operations management who require a thorough understanding of IFR flight planning procedures.
Prerequisites
None — open enrollment
Course Outline
Objectives:
• Interpret IFR flight planning regulations and airspace requirements
• Apply meteorological data and NOTAMs to IFR route planning
• Calculate fuel, time, and alternate aerodrome requirements
• Complete an IFR flight plan form (CA48) correctly
• Evaluate en-route and approach chart symbols and procedures
Topics:
• Regulatory framework: CARs, SA-CATS, AIC for IFR operations
• Airspace classification and IFR routing requirements
• Meteorological information: SIGMET, AIRMET, TAF, METAR
• NOTAMs and AIS briefing for IFR flights
• Fuel planning: contingency, alternate, holding, and final reserve
• Alternate aerodrome minima and selection criteria
• Navigation log preparation and waypoint sequencing
• IFR flight plan form (CA48) completion and submission
Practicals
Overview
Learners apply theoretical knowledge by completing a full IFR flight planning exercise using real-world charts, weather products, and NOTAMs. They will calculate fuel, select alternates, and file a flight plan under instructor supervision.
Practical Activities
- Practical 1: Route Planning and Weather Briefing — Using current AIP charts and weather products, learners plan an IFR route from departure to destination, including alternate aerodromes. (1h)
- Practical 2: Fuel and Time Calculation — Learners calculate fuel requirements including taxi, trip, contingency, alternate, and holding fuel, and compute estimated time en-route. (1h)
- Practical 3: Flight Plan Form Completion and Filing — Learners complete a CA48 IFR flight plan form and simulate filing with Air Traffic Services. (1h)
Summatives
Each delegate is assessed continuously throughout the course via daily exercises, scored practical assignments, and a final summative test at the end.
Practical Assignments — 30%
Practical assignments are observed and scored against a rubric during the practical sessions. Each delegate's practical mark is averaged into a single 100% score and contributes 30% to the final total.
Daily Exercises — 20%
Every training day ends with a multiple-choice exercise scored out of 100%. The scores from each daily exercise are averaged across the duration of the course to produce a Daily Average mark, which contributes 20% to the final total.
Final Test — 50%
On the last day a final summative test is written. It is a multiple-choice paper with multiple-answer questions: each question may have more than one correct option, and a single wrong selection on a question marks the entire question wrong — no partial credit. The final test is scored out of 100% and contributes 50% to the overall mark.
Final Total
| Component | Out of | Weight |
|---|---|---|
| Practical Assignments (rubric-scored) | 100% | 30% |
| Daily Average (multiple choice) | 100% | 20% |
| Final Test (multi-answer multiple choice) | 100% | 50% |
| Final Total | — | 100% |
All marks are recorded on the AATICD LMS and visible to each learner under their account.
Certificate
How it works
- Certificates are auto-generated on the AATICD LMS as soon as the marks pass the 50% threshold.
- Each certificate is a branded PDF with the delegate's name, the course title, the unit standard ID, NQF level, credits, and the date of issue.
- You can download or print your certificate from your LMS dashboard at any time after issue — there's no reissue fee and no expiry date.
- If you scored under 50% you can sit the final test again at the next scheduled session at no extra cost.
Where to find it
Sign in to the LMS, open your dashboard, and your certificates appear under My Certificates. Each entry has a View / Download button and a print option.
Training Discounts
Group discounts apply automatically — the more delegates you enrol, the greater the saving. Discounts are calculated at 3% per 5 delegates, scaling up to 40% off for 100+ delegates.
| Delegates | Discount |
|---|---|
| 5 | 3% off |
| 10 | 6% off |
| 15 | 9% off |
| 20 | 12% off |
| 25 | 15% off |
| 30 | 18% off |
| 50 | 30% off |
| 75 | 40% off |
| 100 | 40% off |
3% discount per 5 delegates, up to 40% off for 100+ delegates. Contact us for a custom group quote.
Let us know you're interested and we'll arrange a session that suits you.
Let us know you're interested and we'll arrange a session that suits you.
Let us know you're interested and we'll arrange a session that suits you.
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