East Coast IFR Experience

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OVERVIEW

The "ECIE" is a six day flight training experience that takes pilots through some of the most demanding and most rewarding areas of the East Coast. It incorporates some of the most challenging approaches and varied flying conditions available anywhere in the country.

From the mountains of New England, south-west over the Catskills, Poconos, and into the Appalachians and Smokies, some of the most difficult approaches east of the Mississippi will be flown, often in IMC conditions. Then, it's south to Florida , before flying the length of the East Coast all the way to Maine (including a stop where it all began, Kill Devil Hill in Kitty Hawk , NC ).

The last day flies the “'Narly New England” approaches of the White and Green Mountains of Vermont and New Hampshire . Finally back to where the trip started, at Columbia County Airport (1B1) in Hudson , NY .

The approaches flown will include: ILS, LOC, LOC Back Course, ASR, VOR, PAR, and GPS. Some approaches will entail flying a DME arc. The likelihood of encountering IMC conditions at some point during the trip are good, though not guaranteed. The flights are conducted with two pilots and one instructor. The pilots share the flying chores equally and will each log at least 18 hours of PIC flight time and 12 approaches.

Pilots that are insured by Avemco Insurance Company will qualify for a 5% discount on their premiums upon completion of this trip.

FOR WHOM IS THE COURSE DESIGNED?

The ECIE is designed both for currently rated IFR pilots who wish to gain a genuine IFR experience while also increasing their IFR skills and confidence, as well Instrument students who have not yet gained their rating but are advanced enough in their training to be able to fly both precision and non-precision approaches and holds. For instrument students it is a great way to finish up the rating. It is typically flown with two pilots on board, swapping seats on each leg. However if only one pilot books the trip we still go.

For instrument student applicants, a minimum of fifteen hours of logged instrument time is required. If the applicant wishes to take their Instrument Practical Test with Doug, at the conclusion of the trip, then their knowledge exam must have been completed prior to the trip.

For those pilots flying the trip in DSFI's Cardinal, a complex endorsement will be gained as wel l (if not already held). At the conclusion of the course instrument rated pilots will receive an IPC (Instrument Proficiency Check) and Flight Review endorsement, if requested. Pilots that are insured by Avemco Insurance Company will qualify for a 5% discount on their premiums upon completion of the trip

THE ITINERARY

 

DAY ONE (Mon) is spent at 1B1 with familiarization flights in the Cardinal. Time is also spent in the classroom with instruction on the GNS430 and a full briefing on the trip.

  DAY TWO (Tue) departs 1B1 and spends the day in the mountains. We cross the Catskills and Poconos as we head to the Appalachians and Smokies. Precision and non-precision approaches alike will be flown into airports nestled in mountain valleys and surrounded by high peaks. We'll end the day at Asheville , NC (expect the seat belts to get stretched today, as this air is often turbulent).
  DAY THREE (Wed) takes us across South Carolina and Georgia to Florida . Along the way, we'll get to fly a DME arc. We will end the day at beautiful St. Simmons , GA.
 

DAY FOUR (Thu) we fly north up the coast. The highlight of the day is a stop for lunch at Kitty Hawk where we can pay homage to the two brothers who started it all, Orville and Wilbur. After lunch we continue on to end the day at the "Flying W Airport" in Lumberton , NJ . If you haven't had your fill of airplanes today, you can end the day with a swim in their "airplane" swimming pool!

  DAY FIVE (Fri) is the day our communication skills get tested as we fly through both the New York and Boston TRACONS. Be prepared for rapid fire commands from busy controllers. A PAR approach is possible at Portsmouth , NH . Then, the foggy coasts of Maine await, ending the day in Bangor , ME.
 

DAY SIX (Sat) the final day of our IFR experience takes us to some of the most difficult approaches in New England . We'll fly approaches surrounded by mountains into Berlin , Lebanon , and Claremont , NH , as well as Springfield and Bennington , VT ending back at Columbia County with 30+ hours of difficult IFR flying under our belts.

SCHEDULE OF TRIPS (dates are subject to change)

2007:
May 21 – 26
July 02 – 07
Aug. 13 – 18
Sept. 10 - 15

Contact DSFI about booking your trip...

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