John Eckalbar's latest book…Instrument Flying Update: What every Instrument Pilot Needs to Know About the New Rules on Approach Transitions, WAAS, LPV, LNAV/VNAV, RNAV SIDs, TAWS, and Much More.

If you completed your instrument training in the era of VOR, ILS, and basic GPS, it is time you make a commitment to getting yourself up to speed for new world IFR.

Instrument flying is evolving at an incredible pace. New technologies (like WAAS and TAWS) are being applied, new rules (like those on transitioning onto RNAV approaches) are being written, and new procedures (like LPV approaches) are being developed. The big payoff is in unprecedented 3-D position accuracy and enhanced situational awareness as the aircraft position is displayed in relation to complex waypoint strings together with surrounding terrain and obstacles.

To navigate the new world of IFR safely and efficiently, pilots and controllers need to do their homework. We need to keep up with the nuances of the new equipment as well as the rules and procedures that evolve with the equipment. To cite the most important example, many thousands of pilots are about to upgrade from GPS to GPS/WAAS. With this upgrade comes the promise of vastly improved instrument approaches, but we also move into an environment which we have not yet been trained to enter-where, for example, we get strange messages from our avionics saying that LPV is unavailable because VPL exceeds VAL, or where LNAV/VNAV is available, but a knowledgeable pilot will know that, given the current weather, LNAV might be better. The relatively simple days when we tuned an NDB or VOR, identified it, and flew the chosen course are ending.

Safe and efficient operation in this new environment is going to take a commitment to continuing education. I hope this book will help.

Here is a quick outline: The first three chapters deal with WAAS.

• Chapter 1 investigates how WAAS is able to correct GPS position estimates.
• Chapter 2 looks at the TERPS criteria for WAAS-based approaches.
• Chapter 3 examines the topic of flying with WAAS.
• Chapter 4 brings you up to date on recent changes in RNAV departure procedures and adds a brief section on RNAV Q- and T-routes.
• Chapter 5 explains how TAWS works, what its various warning/alert messages mean, and what you can and should do in response. Most pilots are unaware that ATC has its own TAWS-like system called MSAW, Minimum Safe Altitude Warning system. MSAW alerts controllers when an aircraft is or is expected to be too low, and then controllers are supposed to alert pilots. But, what prompts the alert, and what are you supposed to do when you get one? Are you automatically getting MSAW protection when you are assigned a transponder code and talking to ATC? We will address these questions in chapter 6.
• Chapter 7 deals with radar vectors. Special attention is paid to the meaning of the MVA and the issue of when it is permissible for ATC to issue a vector when you are below the MVA.
• Chapter 8 tests our knowledge of the above topics by examining the chain of events leading to an accident in San Diego during a night departure, when a Lear 35A impacted terrain while trying to maintain VFR under an overcast while following a vector below the MVA. If nothing in the last sentence strikes you as odd, you are likely to really benefit from reading this book.
• Chapter 9 covers the surprisingly complex topic of transitioning onto an approach. What is permissible as you fly "GPS direct" from one fix to another toward the FAF, Final Approach Fix? Is it okay to go direct to the FAF from anywhere as long as you are so cleared? Is it okay for ATC to clear you GPS direct to the FAF or to issue a vector to the FAF? And, what is wrong with the following clearance? "...two miles from the outer marker, turn left heading 050, maintain 4000 until established, cleared ILS runway 36 left." Hopefully, when chapter 9 is finished, you will have a clear idea of some of the problems created by any of the above.
• Chapter 10 we study the sad case of a relatively new instrument pilot struggling against a barrage of ATC handling mistakes as he tries to get established on an RNAV (GPS) approach. This accident touches on many of the major themes of the book-getting established, radar vectors, TAWS, MSAW, and more.

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Customer Reviews For Instrument Flying Update: Write a review

Sunday, September 12, 2010 Perfect for understanding new systems by Gerry from Toronto, Ontario  Pros: good use of illustrations Review: Mr. Eckalbar has a consistent style for delivering his messages: drill, drill, and drill somemore. His books are very challenging because they are so comprehensive. This material is very well supported with illustrations and that helps the reader to comprehend issues and concepts. Very informative and helpful book for anyone interested in flying the instruments. Was this Review Helpful to you?   Yes   No Monday, April 27, 2009 incredible by Marty from Kerrville TX USA  Pros: not an FAA regurgitation Cons: sometimes a little deep into the technical (but I like that) Review: If you really are interested in understanding WAAS, buy this book. The original book by the same author (John Eckalbar) is equally as good, but on a different theme. I've never read an IFR book that had so much original and relevant information. Was this Review Helpful to you?   Yes   No Monday, March 23, 2009 Detailed as well as interesting by Robert from Alpharetta GA USA  Pros: This is good material for teaching GPS approaches Cons: As a helicopter instrument instructor - some of the information did not apply Review: I liked the explainations of the differences between LNAV/VNAV and LNAV with lower approach minimums. Was this Review Helpful to you?   Yes   No Monday, August 11, 2008 Great info for new WAAS pilots by A Customer from Lutherville MD USA  Review: Very good information about WAAS approaches for anyone who was trained without WAAS and now has the capability. Was this Review Helpful to you?   Yes   No Monday, July 21, 2008 Updated Info -Very Nice, Very Nice by James from Oviedo FL USA  Pros: Updated Info for 2008-2009 Cons: None Review: Easy Reading for such a complex subject. The new IFR world we all fly in now places a big load on the PIC to understand it all, this book will bring it all home. Was this Review Helpful to you?   Yes   No Monday, February 18, 2008 Provides Greater Understanding of GPS Approaches by A Customer from Western Springs IL USA  Pros: Lot's of information on GPS in an IFR approach environment Cons: At times a bit too detailed on technical specs. Review: Overall I enjoyed the book becuase it provided information on GPS approaches and how TERPS designs them. At time the book gets into a little more detail than I needed regarding some of the more technical details like geometric formulas. I especially liked that it crossed referenced the AIM and the ATC procedures to give a pilot a better understanding of what a controller is or is not doing. Was this Review Helpful to you?   Yes   No Thursday, December 06, 2007 I have bought this book as a gift for pilot friends.. by Robert from New Smyrna Beach FL USA  Review: Awesome, Awesome...You have to read this book if you are flying IFR and want to get a full understanding of the latest IFR procedures...A must have if you really want a full understanding of WAAS. Was this Review Helpful to you?   Yes   No Friday, March 30, 2007 An excellent follow on to the original by Stan from San Diego, CA  Pros: Thorough, detailed review of advanced IFR concepts Cons: A bit wordy, but this is probably necessary Review: A thorough review of many advanced IFR topics. Because of the chapter layout, the reader can easily find the topic(s) of interest. Reading this book does require more concentration than average in order to be able to glean all of the information that is presented, but the effort is well worth it! Was this Review Helpful to you?   Yes   No Friday, March 30, 2007 More secrets revealed by Rick Tavan from Truckee, CA  Pros: clear, concise explanations; good examples Review: This sequel to Eckalbar's earlier IFR A Structured Approach is another must-have in the instrument pilot's library. The material is completely new and includes the first cogent explanations of GPS approaches (original and WAAS) that I have found. He reveals not only what to do but also why to do it based on how the system works on the inside. He discusses some systemic problems inside ATC and sometimes suggests how to react to them. Both of Eckalbar's IFR books are worth reading once a year. By the way, I've never met John but after reading this second gem I contacted him about getting together for some instrument training after I upgrade to a WAAS GPS. Was this Review Helpful to you?   Yes   No