IFR MASTERY SCENARIOS
This month's scenario Turkey Day Turbulence #195 | NOVEMBER 2026 A short IFR hop across Florida turns into a challenging IFR workout as the descent brings sharp wind shifts, turbulence. Do you try again where you just missed or divert somewhere less convenient, maybe even all the way back home to drive instead?Start scenario →
Night VFR Flight
The flight from your weekend getaway house back to your real home is simply a matter of following the highway through the valley—until the airport, the valley, and the hills are no longer in sight! Would IFR only make things worse? Time is short and valley walls are out there … somewhere.
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Quick Decision Needed
You're the pilot of a well-equipped Cirrus SR22, complete with weeping-wing anti-icing. It's a seriously capable airplane, but ice caught you by surprise and isn't shedding as you would expect. You're over unfriendly terrain and need to make some choices quickly. What will your decision be?
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Who's In Charge?
What happens when two pilots disagree about how to proceed with a flight? One wishes to divert while the other, more experienced pilot is adamant about pressing on. This scenario will put your CRM skills to the test. Find out the best way to resolve this conflict in the cockpit.
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Disappearing in the Fog
A chance to ferry a plane for your local FBO and build up some free flight hours goes well until you approach the destination airport to find fog is rapidly closing in. You realize there are several legal options that will allow you to complete this flight. But of those items, what's still safe?
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Wilderness Trip
You and your friends are loaded into your airplane, eager to get home after a long weekend away. When starting, you discover a minor problem…or is it? After a bit of trouble shooting, the problem appears to be resolved. Do you depart for home or disappoint your passengers?
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Departure at Northampton
IFR Emergencies come in all shapes and sizes, but all take on added urgency when you are operating in the clouds. This month, you are faced with an emergency shortly after takeoff when entering IMC. Your options aren't great, but if you choose wisely you will greatly increase your chances of survival.
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GPS Approach at Charleston
Pilots must be prepared to say "unable" when are asked to do something beyond their personal capability or comfort level. At the same time, we all want to fit in with the flow of traffic and help ATC out where we can — especially when flying IFR. What will you say?
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Granite State Departure
Obstacle Departure Procedures are often misunderstood, but are a critical procedure that instrument pilots must be prepared to fly. ODPs may require pre-planning, as is the case in this month's scenario. Fly along this month and see why a thorough knowledge of ODPs is so important.
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Cheap Fuel at Logan County
Sometimes, pilots get a little lazy with their preflight planning. It's human nature; after so many flights with nothing unexpected, a little complacency can creep in. Yet a simple lack of planning creates a serious jam. Decide what must happen to avoid this serious mistake?
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The Hills Around Sidney
Modern avionics improve safety with both advanced guidance and built-in warnings. What do you do when the guidance says you're spot-on and safe but the warning says you'd better change plans and fast? This approach to Sidney, NY has you stumped and you have only seconds to figure it out.
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When The Glass Breaks
Glass panels have forced flight instructors to adapt their training techniques. You're working on your IPC when the instructor throws a simple failure at you Unfortunately, this simulated emergency quickly became a real one because the instructor lacked in-depth knowledge of the equipment..
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Am I Safe?
Most pilots are comfortable preflighting their airplane and making sound decisions as to its airworthiness, but we often fail to evaluate the most important piece of equipment in the airplane: the pilot! Making the best self-analysis isn't always simple, but it's key to this scenario.
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Cloud Surfing
IFR flights in marginal weather require continually monitoring conditions along the route and adjusting the flight as needed. Sometimes there are clear dangers, but often it's a matter of balancing the comfort, duration, and safety of the flight. How will you rework the plan when there's no clear choice?
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An Easy IFR Training Day
You and your flying club buddy, Ted, head out to do some practice instrument approaches to maintain your IFR currency. Ted is a retired professional pilot and your flying mentor. You enjoy learning from him, but today you are forced into a difficult situation without his help.
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Unwanted Adventure Over The Rockies
Fly GA airplanes at higher altitudes and you'll discover some unique challenges. This includes additional preflight items, as well as procedures and operations during the enroute portion of a flight. This trip across the Rockies gets dicey when a few oversights start to gang up on you.
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Foggy Night at Bridgeport
Fog can be a killer, especially after the sun goes down, which concerns you when returning to your home airport just after dark and you notice a few low clouds. This kind of situation can be dangerous, depending on the severity of the fog and your choice about how to proceed. What will you do?
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Snowplows on the Runway
Even with careful preparation and planning, you just might be thrown a curve ball during an IFR flight. How about a snowplow on the runway where you need to land? Handling this under IFR will test your knowledge of the system and experience in working it to your advantage.
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Localizer Approach at Suffolk
Advanced avionics in modern light airplanes should be a pilot's best friend, but if a pilot doesn't have a complete understanding of the equipment, a simple mistake can lead to big trouble. Sometimes just ONE button push, is enough to create confusion and leave you way behind the airplane.
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Night VFR Departure
A night IFR trip in a single-engine airplane requires the utmost in planning and preparation. Watch how a time issue, an unexpected trip back to the ramp, and a decision to depart and pick up the IFR clearance in the air have pushed you right to the limits of your capability. How will you react?
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Circling Approach In Michigan
You're maneuvering your airplane to land during the final stages of a circling approach. Add low weather conditions, nervous passengers, and a few other minor distractions to the mix and the risk is quickly cranked up. Will this be straightforward, or a seriously challenging maneuver?
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