Now that the first progress test is done, I’m getting more into the instrument flying. I’ve done a bit of holding (i.e. flying a race-track pattern in the air) and completed my first IFR (Instrument Flight Rules) flight today! It started off with filing an IFR flight plan and then requesting start up, something that is not done for VFR flights. Then a set of clearances are requested, given out and readback to ATC. For the first flight we just requested an altitude of 5000ft and then a direct routing to the Jerez VOR. With our take off clearance, the controller asked us to maintain runway heading and climb to 5000ft, so we took off and complied with the instruction/clearance and when we contacted Sevilla Approach, they gave us the clearance to turn directly towards the beacon and we practiced VOR holding there. The wind was quite strong – forecast at 30 knots, which made holding a bit more complicated, as it would blow us off track had we not compensated for it. It was a short flight, but the difference between IFR and VFR in terms of radio calls was immediately apparent – IFR required many more clearances from ATC compared to VFR.
Also a few photos from my flights are below
The Jerez Racing Circuit:
Gibraltar in the distance:
The coast:
