Physical, Mathematical, Computer and Life Sciences › Physical Sciences
Instrument Flying Manoeuvres for Pilots Training
Description
This course equips pilots with the skills to safely and accurately control an aircraft solely by reference to flight instruments, without external visual cues. It focuses on developing proficiency in basic and advanced instrument manoeuvres essential for instrument flight rules (IFR) operations.
Learning Outcomes
- Demonstrate the ability to maintain straight-and-level flight, climbs, descents, and turns by sole reference to instruments.
- Apply instrument cross-check and interpretation techniques to maintain aircraft control during unusual attitude recoveries.
- Analyze instrument indications to perform precision and non-precision approaches without external visual references.
- Evaluate aircraft performance and system malfunctions using instrument readings and execute appropriate emergency procedures.
- Implement proper scanning techniques to manage instrument workload and maintain situational awareness.
- Design a personal instrument proficiency plan to sustain competency in instrument flying manoeuvres.
Target Audience
This course is designed for licensed private or commercial pilots who wish to obtain or renew their instrument rating, or who require proficiency in instrument flying for professional development.
Prerequisites
Valid Private Pilot License (PPL) or Commercial Pilot License (CPL) with a minimum of 50 hours of cross-country flight time.
Course Outline
Objectives:
• Understand the principles and importance of instrument flying
• Identify the basic flight instruments and their functions
• Explain the concept of attitude instrument flying
• Describe the effects of instrument failures on flight
Topics:
• Overview of instrument flying regulations and requirements
• The six basic flight instruments: pitot-static and gyroscopic
• Principles of attitude instrument flying
• Instrument scan techniques: cross-check, interpretation, and control
• Common instrument errors and failures
Objectives:
• Develop effective instrument scan patterns
• Practice partial panel flying without attitude indicator
• Understand the use of backup instruments
• Recognize and respond to instrument failures
Topics:
• Primary and supporting instrument scan
• Techniques for partial panel: using turn coordinator, altimeter, and airspeed
• Recovery from unusual attitudes on partial panel
• Simulated instrument failures and emergency procedures
Objectives:
• Maintain straight-and-level flight solely by reference to instruments
• Apply proper trim techniques for various airspeeds
• Understand power settings and attitude adjustments
• Correct for altitude and heading deviations
Topics:
• Establishing and maintaining straight-and-level flight
• Power and attitude relationships
• Trim techniques for coordinated flight
• Altitude and heading corrections
Objectives:
• Perform constant airspeed climbs and descents on instruments
• Execute level-off procedures accurately
• Understand the effects of configuration changes
• Manage power and pitch for vertical speed
Topics:
• Constant airspeed climbs and descents
• Level-off from climbs and descents
• Changes in configuration: flaps, landing gear
• Power management for climb and descent
Objectives:
• Perform standard rate turns and steep turns on instruments
• Execute climbing and descending turns
• Maintain coordinated flight during turns
• Recover from unusual attitudes in turns
Topics:
• Standard rate turns: lead and rollout
• Steep turns: bank angle and altitude control
• Climbing and descending turns
• Unusual attitude recovery in turns
Objectives:
• Understand VOR and NDB approach procedures
• Fly VOR and NDB approaches using instruments
• Identify fixes and timing for non-precision approaches
• Manage descent profiles and missed approaches
Topics:
• VOR approach: tracking radials, station passage
• NDB approach: ADF orientation, homing, and tracking
• Approach plate reading and briefings
• Missed approach procedures
Objectives:
• Fly ILS approaches using localizer and glideslope
• Understand ILS categories and decision heights
• Execute precision approach procedures
• Manage approach transitions and missed approaches
Topics:
• ILS principles: localizer, glideslope, marker beacons
• Flying the ILS: intercepting and tracking
• Decision altitude/height and missed approach
• ILS categories and limitations
Objectives:
• Execute standard and non-standard holding patterns
• Understand entry procedures: direct, teardrop, parallel
• Fly DME arcs for instrument approaches
• Manage timing and wind correction in holds
Topics:
• Holding pattern entry and procedures
• Timing and wind correction
• DME arc: lead points and tracking
• Holding in lieu of procedure turn
Objectives:
• Recognize and recover from unusual attitudes on instruments
• Apply emergency procedures for instrument failures
• Manage spatial disorientation
• Practice recovery from spiral dives and nose-high attitudes
Topics:
• Unusual attitude recognition: nose-high, nose-low, bank
• Recovery techniques: power, pitch, bank
• Spatial disorientation and countermeasures
• Emergency procedures: vacuum failure, static blockage
Objectives:
• Plan an IFR cross-country flight using charts and weather
• Understand IFR route structure and ATC procedures
• File and activate IFR flight plans
• Navigate using radio aids and GPS
Topics:
• IFR flight planning: route, altitude, fuel
• Weather minimums and alternate requirements
• ATC clearances and communication
• GPS and RNAV navigation
Objectives:
• Communicate effectively with ATC in IFR environments
• Understand IFR phraseology and procedures
• Handle clearances, holds, and approach transitions
• Manage radio failures and lost communications
Topics:
• IFR radio phraseology and procedures
• ATC clearances: departure, en route, approach
• Lost communications procedures
• Practice with simulated ATC scenarios
Objectives:
• Perform a complete IFR flight from pre-flight to landing
• Integrate all instrument flying skills
• Demonstrate proficiency in instrument procedures
• Complete a practical assessment scenario
Topics:
• Full IFR flight scenario: departure, en route, approach
• In-flight emergencies and diversions
• Practical assessment of instrument flying skills
• Debrief and feedback
Practicals
Overview
Practical sessions provide hands-on experience in instrument flying using flight simulators and aircraft. Learners practice scan techniques, partial panel operations, approaches, and emergency procedures under supervision, ensuring proficiency in instrument flight manoeuvres.
Practical Activities
- Basic Attitude Instrument Flying and Scan Techniques — Learners practice straight-and-level flight, climbs, descents, and turns using instrument scan techniques in a simulator. (8h)
- Partial Panel Operations and Unusual Attitude Recovery — Learners fly with simulated instrument failures (partial panel) and practice recovery from unusual attitudes. (8h)
- Instrument Approaches: VOR, NDB, and ILS — Learners fly VOR, NDB, and ILS approaches in a simulator, including missed approaches and holding patterns. (12h)
- IFR Cross-Country and ATC Communications — Learners conduct a simulated IFR cross-country flight, including filing flight plans, ATC communication, and navigation. (8h)
- Integrated IFR Scenario and Practical Assessment — Learners complete a full IFR flight scenario integrating all skills, assessed for proficiency. (4h)
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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