The Pilot Shop

The only simulator designed to turn instrument students into instrument pilots.

IP Trainer is the only IFR simulator with a foundation of artificial intelligence in the form of a virtual instrument flight instructor (CFII), the only interactive courseware designed exclusively for instrument students, and the only program that can compare its knowledge of the Instrument Rating Practical Test Standards against a student's real-time flight simulation performance.

Most importantly, while you're using IP Trainer to build a solid foundation of instrument skills, you'll also be saving money. IP Trainer users consistently attain their Instrument Rating with less dual time and with less expense than students who rely on traditional methods alone, saving an average of $1,000 in their total training costs for the rating. With a built-in CFII, spoken ATC guidance, the comprehensive Instrument Flying textbook, and a full complement of IFR lessons, IP Trainer is the single best way to bring instrument training home.

• Your CFII provides voice guidance and direction throughout your training, and can demonstrate each of the lessons while you observe, stop you if you make a mistake, explain what you need to do, back you up for a second try, and rate your flying against the FAA Practical Test Standards on every one of 133 different lessons.
  
• Using the building block technique, the program begins with basic attitude flying, navigation, instrument approaches, and enroute procedures, and concludes with a complete IFR checkride — all the FAA Instrument Rating Practical Test Standard tasks are covered. Each lesson begins with a briefing, and includes references to Instrument Flying textbook, which ships with the program for an integrated ground and flight training program. You can also leave the lesson environment, and use the Free Flight mode and IP Trainer's realistic Cessna 172 to practice what you've learned — a comprehensive worldwide database is included.
  
• Throughout the lessons, the IP Trainer CFII gives you a detailed report of each lesson, comparing your performance against the Instrument Rating Practical Test Standards. Detailed maps show your overhead and vertical flight paths, giving you a chance to reinforce the instructor's remarks with a visual reference.

New for Version 7: on-screen warnings, CFII Tips, Scan Trainer and Repeat features. See Detailed Description for more information!

FITS products are more convenient, more accessible, less expensive, and more relevant to today's pilots. The FAA FITS initiative is focused on the redesign of general aviation training. Instead of training pilots to pass practical tests, FITS focuses on expertly managed real-world challenges. Scenario-based training is used to enhance GA pilots' aeronautical decision making, risk management, and single pilot resource management skills -- all without compromising basic stick and rudder skills resulting in progressive pilot training that enhances safety.

The On-Top IFR simulator provides pilots with the opportunity to refine decision-making, risk management, and judgment skills before putting them to the test in real flight. Version 9.0 is fully updated to reflect today’s Technically Advanced Aircraft (TAA) with the inclusion of a Garmin™ G1000-style glass cockpit primary flight display (PFD) in the Cessna 182. A Reality XP Garmin 430 GPS is now available in the Cessna 172, Mooney, Bonanza and Baron aircraft. Also included with On Top V9 is FlightPrep’s PlateView program, providing electronic approach plates for U.S. airports. This is a much-requested item and pilots will now have the approach information at their fingertips for their flight simulation sessions.

Features:

• On Top includes an accurate rendering of ten aircraft — Cessna 172 Skyhawk, Cessna 182 Skylane, Cessna 182R Skylane RG, Piper PA-28-161 Warrior II, Piper PA-28R-201 Arrow IV, Lancair Columbia 300, Mooney MSE, Beech Bonanza V-35, Beech Baron 58 Twin, Beech 1900 Twin Turboprop.
• Each aircraft has panel options — pilots can choose an HI or HSI, an ADF or RMI, add a moving map or GPS, an attitude indicator or flight director. Fly a conventional 6-pack cockpit or a glass-cockpit featuring a G1000-like PFD.
• Fly any approach in the world with the worldwide database. View the approach plate with a click of a button using FlightPrep's PlateView program.
• Simulate truly realistic flights by programming the weather to suit your needs. Set up conditions that replicate the forecast for your next flight; set up the weather to improve, deteriorate, or change randomly to add unpredictable turbulence, ceilings, clouds, and winds.
• Set instrument and equipment malfunctions to fail predictably or randomly to maximize emergency procedures training.
• Flight information is recorded and mapped for every flight in overhead and profile views. Save and replay these flights for later evaluation, or re-fly portions of the flight under different conditions.
• Users can challenge themselves with hard IFR weather, systems malfunctions, and engine failures, while the venture outside the narrow channels of training days to get more out of their instrument ticket.

Virtual IMC — Virtual Challenges — Real Preparation

This is an interactive desktop flight simulator created to help instrument-rated pilots maintain proficiency in the maneuvers outlined in the FAA instrument currency requirements and prepare for the Instrument Proficiency Check (IPC). Unlike any other desktop flight simulator available on the market today, Instrument Refresher — An IPC Simulator is a comprehensive tutorial and training platform for instrument pilots.

Using a photorealistic and aerodynamically-accurate Cessna 172, Instrument Refresher gives pilots 24 lessons divided into four "blocks" of learning: radio navigation, airwork, enroute procedures and instrument approaches. Lessons cover all maneuvers required to maintain instrument currency including instrument approaches, holding, intercepting and tracking using NAVAIDs, as well as unusual attitudes, partial panel, radio communications, and steep turns; a fifth block simulates an actual Instrument Proficiency Check (IPC).

The program has a "virtual CFII" on board who will demonstrate, then prompt the pilot through maneuvers, while explaining errors made along the way. The critique from the instructor provides a consistent method of learning, and evaluates the pilot’s performance against the FAA Instrument Rating Practical Test Standards. To further simulate actual conditions, users will hear the voice of the instructor and those of air traffic controllers, from Clearance Delivery and ATIS, to approach and tower controllers.

This software is ideal for pilots who don’t fly on the gauges as frequently as they’d like to, those who need to relearn some procedures, or those seeking a way to practice instrument recent-flight-experience maneuvers. Instrument Refresher will help pilots build confidence in their instrument skills and get over the refresher hurdle with the guidance of a qualified, knowledgeable instructor in the privacy of their own home. The program also includes a "free flight" mode that allows users to leave the training environment and practice procedures and approaches anywhere in the world, setting weather conditions along the way.

Note: For more information about the differences between ASA's three instrument desktop simulator programs, see the summary above.

FAA Industry Training Standards (FITS)

FITS products are more convenient, more accessible, less expensive, and more relevant to today's pilots. The FAA FITS initiative is focused on the redesign of general aviation training. Instead of training pilots to pass practical tests, FITS focuses on expertly managed real-world challenges. Scenario-based training is used to enhance GA pilots' aeronautical decision making, risk management, and single pilot resource management skills -- all without compromising basic stick and rudder skills resulting in progressive pilot training that enhances safety.