How Do You Plan a Solo IFR Currency Session?
The single most important thing you can do before a solo currency session is have a plan. Know which approaches you want to fly, in what order, and how they connect. A good plan for a two-hour session includes three to four approaches with smooth transitions between them. Start with an Instrument Landing System (ILS) approach to build confidence, then work toward more challenging approaches like a Localizer (LOC) or Non-Directional Beacon (NDB) approach. Have one or two backup approaches ready in case your primary sequence does not flow well.
Plan approaches that chain efficiently — from a missed approach, you should be able to quickly join the next approach. For example, fly your first approach to Runway 36, then from the missed approach execute a left turn to vectors for Runway 27 at the same airport, or fly a northbound heading to intercept an approach at a nearby airport. The goal is to maximize the number of approaches you fly per hour rather than spending time repositioning the simulator.
Not sure where to start? The pre-planned approach sequences on our currency page give you ready-to-fly combinations that chain well from common departure airports.
Which Aircraft Should You Choose in the Simulator?
Pick the aircraft that matches your real-world flying. The simulator offers several Garmin G1000-equipped aircraft types: the Beechcraft G36 Bonanza, Cessna 206 Stationair, and Cessna 172 Skyhawk are the most commonly used for IFR currency sessions. The Beech G36 and Cessna 206 are the most popular choices because many instrument-rated pilots fly high-performance singles. If you fly a Cessna 172 or similar trainer, choose that — the approach speeds and performance characteristics will be closer to what you experience in the airplane.
All aircraft in the simulator use the Garmin G1000 avionics suite, so your scan pattern and button muscle memory will transfer regardless of which airframe you select. The key difference is approach speed, power management, and trim sensitivity. Choose based on what keeps your instrument scan honest, not what feels easiest.
For more on how to make the most of your instrument training in the simulator, see tips for optimizing instrument rating training.
How Do You Chain Approaches Efficiently?
Efficient chaining means your missed approach heading naturally sets you up for the next approach intercept. This is the difference between flying three approaches per hour and flying five. When you plan your sequence, look at the missed approach procedure for each approach and ask: where does this heading take me, and which approach can I join from there?
Here is a practical example. At Republic Airport (KFRG), fly the ILS Runway 32 approach. The missed approach takes you on a climbing right turn to the Calverton VOR (CCC). From that position, you can easily get vectors for the Area Navigation (RNAV) Runway 19 approach. After that missed approach, you are heading south — which sets up nicely for vectors to the ILS Runway 6 at Morristown Airport (KMMU) if you want to practice an approach at a different field.
Two technique videos show this chaining concept in action: approach chaining demonstration and missed approach transitions.
Should You Use Your EFB's Geo Reference?
Yes — sync your Electronic Flight Bag (EFB) with the simulator's Geo Reference output for a realistic experience. ForeFlight, Garmin Pilot, and other EFBs can display your simulated position in real time, just like they would in the airplane. This means your approach plates, airport diagrams, and moving map all show exactly where you are in the sim. It adds significant realism and lets you practice your real cockpit workflow.
However, there is an important caveat. If you notice you are staring at the iPad moving map instead of flying the G1000, turn Geo Reference off for a few approaches. The whole point of a currency session is to maintain your instrument scan — not to practice following a magenta line on a tablet. Situational awareness from the panel instruments and navigation displays is the skill you are maintaining. The EFB should confirm what you already know from the avionics, not replace it.
For a deeper look at how your approach procedure translates to what you see on the panel, read how to fly an instrument approach.
Book a Solo Currency Session
Reserve a 2-hour solo simulator session and fly your own approach sequence at your own pace.
What Approaches Are Available in the Simulator?
The simulator's Garmin G1000 uses the international navigation database, which means you can fly approaches at virtually any airport worldwide. This includes all approach types: ILS, RNAV (GPS), VOR, LOC, Localizer/Distance Measuring Equipment (LDA+DME), and NDB approaches. You are not limited to local airports — you can practice approaches into Canadian airports, Caribbean fields, or any airport with published instrument procedures.
For IFR currency, most pilots focus on approaches at airports they actually fly to. The New York metropolitan area offers a rich variety: ILS approaches at Republic Airport (KFRG) and Morristown Airport (KMMU), RNAV approaches at nearly every field, VOR approaches at airports like Westchester County Airport (KHPN), and even an LDA approach at the same field. Mixing approach types across sessions keeps your skills sharp across the full range of procedures you might encounter in actual Instrument Meteorological Conditions (IMC).
See all the available approach options and pre-planned sequences for ideas on building your session plan.
How Often Should You Fly for Currency?
The FAA requires six instrument approaches, holding procedures, and intercepting and tracking courses using navigation systems within the preceding six calendar months to remain current under 14 CFR 61.57(c). Most instrument-rated pilots who use the simulator for currency fly about three hours every three months. This gives you two sessions per currency cycle, which is more than enough to satisfy the regulatory minimum and keep your scan sharp.
Do not wait until month five to schedule your first session. Skills degrade gradually, and a currency session in month two or three is far more productive than a rust-removal session in month six. Spreading your sessions out also means you are never scrambling to get current before a trip. If you fly in actual IMC regularly, you may need fewer simulator sessions — but even pilots who fly frequently find the sim useful for practicing approaches they rarely fly in the real world, like NDB or circling approaches.
To stay on track, consider booking your next session before you leave the current one. You can book a returning-student solo session at any time.
What If You Are Not Current — Do You Need an IPC?
If you have been out of IFR currency for more than six months but less than twelve months from your last currency event, you are in the "grace period." During this time, you can regain currency by completing the six approaches, holding, and tracking requirements — you just cannot act as Pilot in Command (PIC) under IFR until you do. A solo simulator session with the right plan can get you current again.
If you are past twelve calendar months from your last currency event, you need an Instrument Proficiency Check (IPC) with a Certificated Flight Instructor — Instrument (CFII). An IPC is a comprehensive evaluation, not just six approaches. It covers the full range of instrument operations. The better strategy is to never let it get that far — regular three-month sessions in the simulator are far less expensive and time-consuming than an IPC.
For details on logging your currency approaches correctly, see how to log simulator IFR approaches.
Pre-Built Scenarios to Try
If you want a structured session without building your own plan from scratch, we have sixteen Line Oriented Flight Training (LOFT) scenarios available on the site. Each scenario is a complete flight with departure, enroute, and approach segments designed around real-world routes and weather conditions. They depart from Republic Airport (KFRG), Morristown Airport (KMMU), Nantucket Memorial Airport (KACK), and Westchester County Airport (KHPN), and include a variety of approach types — ILS, RNAV, VOR, LOC, LDA, and NDB.
LOFT scenarios are particularly useful for solo currency sessions because they give you a realistic operational context instead of just flying random approaches. You get a departure clearance, an enroute segment with altitude and heading changes, and an arrival with weather and approach considerations. This trains decision-making alongside instrument scan — which is what actual IMC flying demands.
Browse the full set of IFR currency training scenarios and booking options.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I maintain IFR currency in a simulator without an instructor?
Yes. Under 14 CFR 61.57(c)(2), you can satisfy instrument currency requirements in an approved AATD without an instructor present. Our simulator is an FAA-approved AATD, so all six approaches, holding, and tracking tasks completed during a solo session count toward your currency. You log the time as "simulated instrument time" in an AATD. No instructor signature is needed for currency — only for an IPC or training endorsements.
How many approaches do I need per session?
The FAA requires six approaches total within six calendar months, not per session. In a typical two-hour solo session, most pilots fly four to six approaches plus a hold. If you fly two sessions per cycle (every three months), you will easily exceed the minimum. Quality matters more than quantity — fly each approach with a full briefing and proper procedure.
What aircraft types are available in the AATD?
The simulator offers several Garmin G1000-equipped aircraft: Beechcraft G36 Bonanza, Cessna 206 Stationair, Cessna 172 Skyhawk, and additional airframes. All use the same G1000 avionics suite. Choose the type that most closely matches your real-world airplane for the most transferable skill practice.
Can I practice international approaches?
Yes. The G1000 in the simulator uses the international navigation database, so you can fly published instrument approaches at airports worldwide — including Canada, the Caribbean, and Europe. This is useful if you have an international trip planned and want to familiarize yourself with the approach environment at your destination.
How far in advance should I book a solo session?
Book at least one to two weeks in advance for the best availability, especially for weekend slots. Evening sessions on weekdays tend to have the most open times. You can book a solo session here. To stay on schedule, book your next session before your current currency period is halfway through.