Instrument Approaches: A Training Reality vs Professional Norm

During flight training, pilots regularly practice emergency procedures, complete complex instrument approaches, and operate in challenging conditions. These skills, invaluable in the training phase, may not be as commonly utilized in the professional or high-hour pilot setting. This article explores the stark contrast between training practices and professional operations, focusing specifically on one of the most rigorous training procedures: full instrument approaches.

Practicing Emergency Procedures Throughout Flight Training

The objective of flight training is multifaceted, encompassing not just the routine of flying the aircraft smoothly, but also the capacity to survive in the face of unexpected events. Common training activities like practicing stalls, which are crucial for understanding the aircraft's behavior under extreme conditions, are infrequently replicated in high-hour pilot operations. These scenarios rarely materialize under commercial or military flight conditions.

Simulators, a core component of flight training, mimic a wide range of emergencies such as dual engine failures, engine fires, airborne dual hydraulic failures, total electrical failures, and much more. These simulations are designed to keep pilots sharp and ready for almost any contingency, a direct contrast to the more routine and smooth operations encountered in professional flying.

The Role of Instrument Approaches in Training

Instrument training serves another critical purpose: it focuses on transitioning pilots from visual flying to navigating without visual reference, a skill essential for night and poor weather operations. A key aspect of this transition is the practice of full instrument approaches. These approaches can be highly complex, requiring pilots to manage a significant increase in cockpit workload while grappling with the added complexity of regulations and publications.

Full instrument approaches involve navigating the entire route from start to finish, usually in challenging conditions. Pilots may face complex paths, strict altitude restrictions, and a lack of real-time communication with air traffic control, making each maneuver critical. Two notable examples include the infamous "High TACAN Alpha" at Randolph AFB in Texas, a demanding and stressful approach, and the frequent practice of instrument approaches at airports in the Valley of the Downs in Texas, requiring pilots to quickly switch between different approaches and charts.

Professional Operations and Full Instrument Approaches

In contrast to training environments, professional operations prioritize efficiency and safety. Full instrument approaches are rarely, if ever, performed in entirety outside of specific scenarios. Unless pilots are specifically training for instrument proficiency or performing a currency check, they would typically rely on partial approaches, especially when conditions allow for visual approaches. This practice is driven by the need to minimize fuel costs and avoid unnecessary time expedites.

For instance, in commercial aviation, if a flight needs to use an instrument approach due to weather or other technical reasons, air traffic controllers often direct planes to the final phase, ensuring the aircraft is in a position where it can safely intercept the runway. NavCerts (navigation certificate checks) and currency flights may involve full instrument approaches, but they are not a common part of day-to-day operations for most high-hour pilots.

Conclusion

The stark contrast between the comprehensive and challenging training practices and the more routine professional operations highlights the unique value of training exercises, especially full instrument approaches. These exercises not only simulate real-world emergencies but also help pilots maintain the high level of proficiency necessary for safe and efficient operations. Understanding this balance can help both pilots and stakeholders appreciate the importance of recurrent training in maintaining a ready and skilled pilot workforce.

Fly Safe!

Keywords: flight training, instrument approaches, professional pilots