It was a true pleasure working with AFIT as I worked through my goal of Instrument Certification. The Instrument ticket was something that I had been aspiring to accomplish since I first completed my Private Pilot training back in 1996. With the demands of running a small business and traveling a great deal, it became clear that the traditional extended training approach with a local instructor wasn’t going to get me the results I wanted anytime soon. I had read a couple articles about the Advanced Flight Training options and was very impressed with the successful history AFIT had with turning VFR pilots into highly capable instrument pilots.

After talking with you and reading the glowing recommendations from former students it was clear that AFIT had the capabilities and proven success to make what I thought was impossible into a reality in just 10 days.

As the days grew closer to start my training, the anxiety increased and concerns about being able to make it all work became a bit overwhelming. These concerns rapidly faded after the first couple hours in the air. My instructor instilled great confidence in me and made the flying experience as comfortable as possible. The first day was straight into IMC conditions and was certainly an eye opener to say the least. This wasn’t a negative experience but actually showed me early on in the training what was to be expected and what the possibilities of skilled IFR training can do for a former VFR pilot.

We spent the next couple days flying a variety of different routes and approaches throughout the mid-Atlantic in all sorts of conditions, including rain, sleet and snow. I was taught how to fly safely and identify these negative weather conditions before they adversely affected the flight and how to take corrective actions if something did go wrong.

My instructor is an amazing pilot and gracious instructor who has taught me the necessary skills to fly safely in IMC conditions with a much stronger level of confidence then I would have likely developed flying a mix of simulated approaches and completed training without the benefits of actual IFR conditions.

One lasting statement from my instructor which made a real impression on me was that with the IFR Certification comes great responsibility to maintain my skills and should be considered a “license to learn”. I think that is an important statement for all freshly minted IFR pilots to continue to develop and expand upon the training that was received.

• John Toman - Chantilly, VA