We train in all kinds of weather (except icing and in proximity to thunderstorms) so you will likely experience real IMC conditions during your training with V1. We do occasionally get a day here and there of unflyable weather. If weather prevents us from flying, we don’t lose a day of training, we simply move to our FAA approved Redbird FMX AATD simulator. While limited use of an AATD flight simulator can have beneficial effects, especially when learning procedures and when gaining G1000 familiarity, we believe there is no substitute for actual flight experience in the IFR system. Our students tell us that when experience is gained in IMC flight conditions, their confidence levels go way up. When our students complete their training, they are comfortable and confident that they can handle flight in reasonable IMC conditions. For this reason, our graduates feel ready to launch into the gray murky, overcast skies on their first solo trip after course completion and a successful check ride.
Here’s what one of our recent graduates said when asked how he felt about filing IFR and flying home in IMC conditions the day he passed his checkride: “It felt great! A bit of sadness as I circled KHGR….I will miss the intensive flying and the great company. I felt confident and dealt with the numerous routing changes enroute easily and the RNAV approach at KPTW was stress free”. Denis S.