I-01: First Approach

IFR flight to/from KSNA for the ILS RWY 20R approach

Recommended aircraft: fast piston (Beech Baron, Piper Seneca) , slow piston (Cessna Skyhawk, Piper Warrior)

With the VFR ratings out of the way, you can now start your IFR ratings.  This first IFR rating involves a simple flight from KSNA to KSNA, with vectors for the ILS RWY 20R approach.  This is the IFR equivalent of pattern work.

Pilots are often unsure what route to file in cases like this.  The most prudent strategy would be to file a route, such that in the event of lost comms, you have a route that is flyable without reliance on radar vectors. In our case, the ILS RWY 20R approach at KSNA is flyable from the nearby SLI VOR. So, let's file that.

Once we get airborne, if all goes well, we'll likely receive vectors to the final approach course in any case, but still, it's good to file a non-radar flyable route, so you can easily fly WITHOUT ATC, either flying offline, or when ATC isn't online.  The 'full' approach, flyable without ATC vectors, is the subject of the I-6 rating. For this rating, though, you can count on ATC to get you onto that final approach course.

Good luck on your first approach!  You're IFR now, so be sure to listen closely to ATC. If you're given a heading, altitude, or speed instruction, do your best to adhere as closely as possible with the restrictions.