One of the vital frequent errors we see in Ultimate Strategy Course check-rides has nothing to do with flying the helicopter — it has to do with the logbook.
When pilots go for his or her Industrial Helicopter ranking, the FAA requires a minimum of 5 hours of instrument coaching. Easy sufficient, proper? However the best way you log that point could make or break your check-ride.
The Requirement
Right here’s the truth: throughout these 5 hours of instrument coaching, you’ll be below the hood (or foggles) for many of the flight, however not all of it. It’s a must to:
Begin the helicopter
Hover, taxi, and take off
Placed on foggles to simulate instrument situations
Take away foggles, return to base, and land
Meaning the overall flight time and the precise instrument time usually are not the identical.
Instance:
The Mistake That Fails Pilots
Too usually, pilots merely log 1.0 hour flight time = 1.0 hour instrument time.
Examiners see this instantly. It’s sloppy, unrealistic, and a purple flag that you just don’t perceive easy methods to correctly doc your coaching. And that one mistake can fail your check-ride earlier than you even begin the engine.
Why It Occurs
The issue comes from confusion between:
In case you don’t separate the 2, your logbook received’t add up. And when your logbook doesn’t add up, examiners received’t be impressed.
FAC Highlight
We’ve had a number of Ultimate Strategy Course college students arrive with this actual subject of their logbooks. It’s not as a result of they weren’t good pilots — it’s as a result of nobody took the time to elucidate the distinction.
That’s why we assessment each logbook entry line by line earlier than we ship a scholar to a check-ride. We’d fairly catch the error right here than have the examiner catch it later.
Tips on how to Keep away from the Entice
Log flight time and instrument time individually.
Don’t inflate your instrument time. In case you weren’t below the hood, it doesn’t rely.
Know the ACS necessities. 5 hours means 5 hours of precise instrument coaching — not simply complete flight.
Maintain it constant. Sloppy logging makes examiners doubt every little thing else in your ebook.
Ultimate Strategy Course Benefit
At H.O.G.S., our Ultimate Strategy Course was constructed to assist pilots keep away from errors like this. We’ve seen 30 check-rides in 30 months, and each one revealed classes price sharing.
That’s why we maintain spots restricted — one or two college students at a time, with instructors devoted to getting you completed up the fitting means.
👉 In case you’re caught ready on a check-ride, otherwise you’re unsure in case your logbook is prepared, name Heather at (574) 767-1797 or go to FinalApproachCourse.com. October openings can be found now.
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Takeaway
5 hours of instrument coaching is required to your Industrial ranking — however logging it fallacious may fail you earlier than the blades even flip.
Maintain your logbook clear, constant, and examiner-ready. That’s what separates the pilots who end sturdy from those who stroll away pissed off.



