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Let's face it, there are a lot of IFR procedures we don't use in our everyday flying. If you're an instrument-rated pilot and fly IFR all the time, how many times have you flown these procedures in the past 12 months?
I'm not just talking about briefing a missed approach procedure. When was the last time you actually flew an entire missed approach procedure? If you're practicing with a friend, tell them to call for one missed approach at a random point during your practice session.
While many holding patterns are established off VORs, we usually use GPS overlays for holding procedures. Try flying a raw-data "green needle" hold using nothing but your NAV Radio/HSI and DME.
A procedure turn is a course reversal to help you line yourself up on the final approach course of an instrument approach. These procedure turns are flown in the direction indicated by the graphically depicted barbed arrow.
Headings are provided for course reversals using the 45-degree type procedure turn, but you do have more options, including the teardrop procedure turn, and the 80 degree/260 degree course reversal.
If you're an airline pilot, when was the last time you filed your own IFR flight plan? Do you remember all of the filing verbiage and how to plan out your own routing/alternates?
Most pilots fly ILS/LOC or RNAV GPS approaches. When was the last time you flew a VOR approach using nothing but green needles and no GPS overlay?
There's nothing like flying a partial-panel approach to minimums to get your blood pressure up! Practice with a friend or CFI to keep your skills sharp.
How many of these have you flown in the past 12 months? Tell us in the comments below.