IFS affecting future learning

[DanMa1156]

If I'd never been to Pensacola, I'd laugh at my own stupidity, but I've been out to Cantonment and to Bagdad and those places make P'cola look like South Beach.

Hahah, fair, but to be clear, South Florida =/= the "South," culturally speaking in general. Florabama is a colloquial term or just simply saying the Pensacola area is part of the Bible Belt would be more accurate. I agree, there's heavy Southern culture in Pensacola, but South Florida is is not, whether geographically or culturally.

 

[Jim123]

Considering all of its strip clubs (and their frequent radio commercials... yes, I still listen to the FM), one of my friends once quipped that Pensacola was more like the zipper of the bible belt.

 

[wileybe]

Ah yes, IFS. I remember studying my “study guide” (live by the gouge) for the FAA test so thoroughly that I literally just had to read the first 3 words of the question, and I knew the answer already. Good times.

IFS is what it is. It’s been previously stated that it is a litmus test for ability to learn quickly, which is accurate. General concepts are always good to know though.

Let’s put it this way. As an IFS student, I knew the civilian VFR cloud clearance requirements for day and night. I knew the minimum equipment required for day VFR flying. a-tomato-flame, right? Do I know those things now, as a fleet (replacement) pilot? Hell no. But I sure know where to look them up at, I know I have the ability to learn them for a test, and most importantly I know not to fly into a cloud with another jet on my wing if I can help it.

I guess what I’m getting at is this- not all material is equal. The ability to sort through the firehose to the face that is the naval aviation pipeline, and break it down into Group 1 (know it cold), Group 2 (I could explain 80% of it), and Group 3 (it sounds familiar and I know where to look it up) will serve you well.

 

[Gatordev]

As an IFS student, I knew the civilian VFR cloud clearance requirements for day and night.

Then, realistically, you're ahead of pretty much anyone in the Navy, and probably majority of the Part 135/121 crowd if it isn't the week of their checkride. I mean seriously...explain to me how I'm supposed to measure 2,000 feet?

I could go on, but /rantmode off.

 

[Eulenspeigel]

Then, realistically, you're ahead of pretty much anyone in the Navy, and probably majority of the Part 135/121 crowd if it isn't the week of their checkride. I mean seriously...explain to me how I'm supposed to measure 2,000 feet?

I could go on, but /rantmode off.

What, you don'y fly with a 2,000 foot long tape measure?

 

[Pags]

What, you don'y fly with a 2,000 foot long tape measure?

It's easy, you fly to the bottom of the clouds and then descend as required. And then self report as required.

 

[andrewt]

What, you don'y fly with a 2,000 foot long tape measure?

Or tape one of those golf laser rangefinders to the wing. Think some of them come with a wind speed readout and boom, backup airspeed indicator.

 

[Gatordev]

I've done pinnacle "landings" on clouds while on deployment. It's actually really hard because it's tough to tell how close you really are.

"Okay, nose zone, coming down.......uh, coming down....oh, there's the cloud."

 

[Fallonflyr]

In aviation you only need to know the answers to the next test, oral, check ride. After doing this aviation thing for 35 years and over 20,000 hours, I doubt that I could take an IFS test cold and pass it.

 

[nittany03]

Then, realistically, you're ahead of pretty much anyone in the Navy, and probably majority of the Part 135/121 crowd if it isn't the week of their checkride. I mean seriously...explain to me how I'm supposed to measure 2,000 feet?

I could go on, but /rantmode off.

Charlie don’t cloud surf!

 

[ChuckMK23]

What kind of aircraft are used by the contractors delivering IFS? 172's? Fuel injected or carbureted motors? Garmin G1000 instruments or steam gauges?

 

[wink]

So, no IFS back in my day. I see reference to a FAA test in IFS. I always thought IFS was stick and rudder and just enough oral instruction on the rest to get to safe solo. I did a little research and saw that a pre solo test is a FAA requirement now...from back in 1989! Wow, I have been flying a long time I guess. And not paying attention. I had never heard that. My son flew gliders, but apparently there is no pre-solo requirement for gliders because I don't recall him taking a pre-solo test.

From my brief research it seems it is not a standardized FAA exam like Private, Commercial, etc. Looks like a Flight School or even independent instructor can develop his own test as long as it covers the required knowledge in the regs. So, in the case of IFS, is the test a Navy standardized test, or is it whatever that particular flight school ordinarily uses?

 

[ChuckMK23]

From my brief research it seems it is not a standardized FAA exam like Private, Commercial, etc. Looks like a Flight School or even independent instructor can develop his own test as long as it covers the required knowledge in the regs. So, in the case of IFS, is the test a Navy standardized test, or is it whatever that particular flight school ordinarily uses?

The test is locally developed and administered - really up to the instructor. Per 61.87 the test has to cover questions:
(i) Applicable sections of parts 61 and 91 of this chapter;
(ii) Airspace rules and procedures for the airport where the solo flight will be performed; and
(iii) Flight characteristics and operational limitations for the make and model of aircraft to be flown.

Its an open book test - one more check in the box and requires its own logbook endorsement now!

 

[wink]

Ok. Question was, in the case of IFS does the Navy provided the same exam for all IFS contractors, or does the contractor us their own test, such that studs see different tests between them.

 

[ChuckMK23]

Ok. Question was, in the case of IFS does the Navy provided the same exam for all IFS contractors, or does the contractor us their own test, such that studs see different tests between them.

Ooh good question! I also wonder how IFS is funded? Is it fixed price per body or by hour...