This training is divided into two stages. The basic skills and concepts of IFR flying are introduced and practiced in the first stage. The second stage concentrates on emergency procedures and IFR travel within the National Airspace System.
The final activity is the practical test administered by a an FAA check airman or Designated Pilot Examiner (DPE).
Stage I
In this stage the Pilot in Training (PT) will review their basic attitude instrument flight skills and begin to acquire the knowledge and skills required to safely navigate an airplane solely by reference to instruments. In addition to simply learning the procedures necessary to execute each task the PT will be taught the fundamentals of aeronautical decision making and risk management.
Stage II
In this stage the PT will learn to apply the skills and knowledge acquired in the first stage to the IFR enroute environment. Potential emergency situations will be introduced to the PT and their SRM skills will be further developed and refined so that the PT is capable of managing all the resources available to them and can conduct the flight in the safest, most efficient way possible.