IFS

Initial Flight Screening (IFS) is run by Doss Aviation.  The program for pilots is typically 4 weeks long, but many students finish before that (less than 3 weeks is rare, but can be done).  The typical student gets about 18 hours at IFS.  When you get to IFS, you will be reminded over and over again that it is a SCREENING program, and they will treat you as such.  They're "not there to train you."  This makes the tone of IFS a lot more uninviting and hostile (if I may) than UPT training.  IFS is in Pueblo, Colorado (KPUB), south of Colorado Springs. 

One nice thing about IFS is the one-stop-shop facility.  It's also one of the biggest downside.  You live, eat, sleep, workout, drink, get your haircut, study, brief to fly, take tests, etc all in the same big building... with hardly any windows.  During the week, you won't really go outside much except for stepping to go fly.  The dining facility is pretty decent; most days there were a few options ranging from healthy to not-so-much.  And there's always the ice-cream machine if all else fails!

RPA pilots and CSOs also go through IFS, but have a different syllabus.
Diamond DA-20
Here's a good website to help you start working on DA-20 Boldface and Ops Limits
Some of my personal tips for IFS:
  • Before you go:
    • Study the boldface and (all) ops limits ahead of time
    • Make sure you have the FAA medical certificate required (see DOSS website for current requirements).  If you have a log book or pilot license, bring that too.
    • Review basic "General Knowledge" (GK) like VFR weather minimums, airspace entry requirements, and the types of airspace (to name a few).
    • If your finances allow, try to get a few hours.  I would say 3-15 or so, personal opinion, is good because you get enough to get the basics and land a few times on your own, but not enough to develop too many bad habits.
  • When you're there:
    • Keep your head up- it can get discouraging pretty easily.
    • Work hard during the week, but on the weekends, enjoy the areas around Pueblo- Colorado Springs, Pike's Peak, Garden of the Gods, the AF Academy, skiing, breweries, etc.  Even Denver!
    • Develop good chairflying habits that will help you through IFS and UPT.  Practice each detail in order- checklists, radio calls, climbs, level off, descent, throttle movements, etc.
    • Know some pitch and power settings that you can set when practicing all your maneuvers.
    • Get the canned departure profiles and radio calls memorized as quickly as possible.  Early on, this will help free up brain cells to focus on keeping the plane within 400 feet of your assigned altitude.
    • Keep a positive attitude and help out your bro's
  • When you're done:
    • Some guys will start UPT the next week, others will have several weeks off- don't let those good study habits die.  Keep in the books- work ahead on the T-6 boldface and ops limits.
    • Find a buddy who's already in or done with T-6s and ask them to help you start learning some basics.
    • Let me know what you wish you would've known ahead of time, so I can add it to my page!  (Contact me page)
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