A V I A T I O N

The only simulator designed to turn instrument students into instrument pilots.

"... a landmark step forward in IFR procedures training" — Private Pilot Magazine
IP Trainer is the only IFR simulator with a foundation of artificial intelligence in the form of a virtual instrument flight instructor (CFII), the only interactive courseware designed exclusively for instrument students, and the only program that can compare its knowledge of the Instrument Rating Practical Test Standards against a student's real-time flight simulation performance.

Most importantly, while you're using IP Trainer to build a solid foundation of instrument skills, you'll also be saving money. IP Trainer users consistently attain their Instrument Rating with less dual time and with less expense than students who rely on traditional methods alone, saving an average of $1,000 in their total training costs for the rating. With a built-in CFII, spoken ATC guidance, the comprehensive Instrument Flying textbook, and a full complement of IFR lessons, IP Trainer is the single best way to bring instrument training home.

 • Your CFII provides voice guidance and direction throughout your training, and can demonstrate each of the
   lessons while you observe, stop you if you make a mistake, explain what you need to do, back you up for a
  second try, and rate your flying against the FAA Practical Test Standards on every one of 133 different
  lessons.
 • Using the building block technique, the program begins with basic attitude flying, navigation, instrument
  approaches, and enroute procedures, and concludes with a complete IFR checkride — all the FAA Instrument
  Rating Practical Test Standard tasks are covered. Each lesson begins with a briefing, and includes references
  to Instrument Flying textbook, which ships with the program for an integrated ground and flight training
  program. You can also leave the lesson environment, and use the Free Flight mode and IP Trainer's realistic
  Cessna 172 to practice what you've learned — a comprehensive worldwide database is included.
 • Throughout the lessons, the IP Trainer CFII gives you a detailed report of each lesson, comparing your
  performance against the Instrument Rating Practical Test Standards. Detailed maps show your overhead and
  vertical flight paths, giving you a chance to reinforce the instructor's remarks with a visual reference.

New for Version 7: on-screen warnings, CFII Tips, Scan Trainer and Repeat features. See Detailed Description for more information!

FAA Industry Training Standards (FITS)
FITS products are more convenient, more accessible, less expensive, and more relevant to today's pilots. The FAA FITS initiative is focused on the redesign of general aviation training. Instead of training pilots to pass practical tests, FITS focuses on expertly managed real-world challenges. Scenario-based training is used to enhance GA pilots' aeronautical decision making, risk management, and single pilot resource management skills - all without compromising basic stick and rudder skills resulting in progressive pilot training that enhances safety.
For more details on FITS see the FAA's Industry Training Standards website.

The only IFR simulator that can show you, teach you and then test you on the things you need to know.
When Private Pilot Magazine called IP Trainer™ "... a landmark step forward in IFR procedures training," it wasn't just because IP Trainer was the first computerized tool to teach IFR air work. More importantly, it was because IP Trainer was the first program to simulate the key facet of instrument flight training — the instructor.
Version 7 continues the tradition of excellence as the only IFR simulator designed specifically for pilots working towards an instrument rating. All previous version's features are included, such as IFR procedures presented in 133 interactive lessons, teaching all the tasks outlined in the FAA's instrument rating PTS in a Cessna 172.

Version 7 of the popular IP Trainer desktop simulator includes these features and benefits:
 • Scan Trainer provides different scan patterns for all lessons.
 • CFII Tips included in each briefing provide hints and suggestions for managing the software lessons with less
   frustration, while acquiring the instrument flying skills.
 • On-screen streaming messages appear when you are flying outside the lesson parameters so you may correct
  before the lesson stops you.
 • A "Continue" button is now available so you can keep flying the lesson without backing up and starting over.
 • Preset flights are available in Free Flight mode, allowing you to fly the lesson approaches “solo” for continued
  scan and procedural practice without the built in CFII.
 • A more comprehensive navigation database has been added.
 • The Instrument Flying textbook that ships with the software has been updated and now has full-color
  illustrations throughout.

It's About Instruction
The danger in non-rated pilots shooting their first approaches on a simulator is when there isn't an instructor looking over their shoulders, demonstrating the right way to do things and looking out for the formation of "bad habits." Unless you have that guidance and instruction, there's no guarantee of what you're learning and how you're learning it.
 
IP Trainer's 133 built-in lessons are assembled on a foundation of artificial intelligence and presented by a "virtual CFII," who briefs you on each maneuver, demonstrates it, verbally prompts you through your own attempt at it, lets you practice under its guidance, and finally tests you on it. Since the instructor knows your precise flight profile at any given time, it can stop you if you stray outside the lesson parameters. Then IPT will explain what the error was, and offer to either back up to a point before the error occurred or even practice the lesson again — unless you're in the Test Mode, where you and your newfound skills must fly the procedure from start to finish. When you've completed a lesson test, IPT evaluates you to exacting standards (the same standards as on an FAA Practical Test) and graphically displays your rating in the different elements of that lesson. Just like a CFII, Instrument Pilot compares its knowledge of how the procedure should be flown with your execution of it, then examines your performance.

It's About The Lessons
The IP Trainer syllabus covers every aspect of instrument flight, in a comprehensive format that The Aviation Consumer called "the most elaborately organized IFR simulator course we've ever seen...This Herculean software can do the job with an awesome pyramid of instructional building blocks." Lesson Blocks cover their own areas of training, and build on the elements learned earlier. IPT records every lesson you've taken and knows how well you've done on it, and recommends the next lessons to take or where to go back for further review.
"Instrument Flying" covers both basic and advanced attitude flying. "Radio Navigation" teaches intercepts, holding patterns and more. In "Instrument Approaches" you'll learn every approach from NDB and ILS to "no gyro" approaches, all at real airports. "Enroute IFR" covers clearances, Departure Procedures and STARs. Every lesson has actual digitized controller voice: for ATIS, clearance delivery, ground control, tower, approach and departure control, center, FSS and Flight Watch. Along with guiding your lesson, these voices prepare you for the real world of IFR flight.

IP Trainer's airplane is an aerodynamically correct model of a Cessna C172, the world's most popular instrument trainer. All instruments are accurate models of aircraft instruments, incorporating indicated airspeed errors, Heading Indicator precession, and magnetic compass errors.

If you're not up to a lesson, go to the "Free Flight" mode, where you can fly the C172 into any airport in the U.S., with every navaid at your disposal, to practice your newfound skills. Review your flight on a map, and preset wind, ceilings and visibility. Practice unfamiliar approaches anywhere in the country, before you ever get there.
It's About Saving Time and Money

While IP Trainer™ will never replace your real instructor, you'll fly with that CFII carrying a thorough understanding of IFR procedures with you. You'll be able to spend more time on fine-tuning technique, instead of learning frustrating concepts. IP has helped thousands of IFR students with their ratings, in less time and with less money spent overall, and given them the most solid foundation of skills an Instrument Pilot can possess.
Minimum System Requirements:

Windows 2000, Windows XP (Home & Professional), Vista (Home Premium & Ultimate), Windows 7 (Home Premium, Professional & Ultimate) Operating Systems.

Windows compatible processor, 800 MHz or faster Windows (2000 & XP), 1.0 GHz or faster (Vista & Windows 7). 256 MB System RAM (Win2000/XP), 512 MB (Vista), 1024 MB (Win 7).

145 MB available hard drive space. CD-ROM drive. DirectX 8.1 (included on the IPT7.0 CD) or later. DirectX compatible video card with 32 MB minimum Video Memory. 800x600 minimum screen resolution. DirectX-compatible sound card and speakers. Mouse or other compatible pointing device. Joystick or yoke.

Letter with feedback from an IP Trainer user:
To ASA: In February I purchased your IP Trainer software. Despite the challenges of a full time job, wife, and child, I found the time to practice on IP Trainer once a week and flew twice a week. My “real” IFR flying didn’t begin until July. I completed half of IP’s disciplined modules before my IFR check ride last week... I passed my check ride! Amongst hard work, dedication and money, I believe a major factor my ability to earn the rating was your software. Your published customer reviews and CFI saleswoman were right on—IP really does save money, and makes the real flying about refining technique rather than learning the task for the first time. If I had to guess, I saved $700 to $800 in training. One of the magazines just ran a story on sims, and did a disservice to students by not mentioning IP Trainer. I have MS flight sim but didn’t use it. This is because that program doesn’t hold you to any standard of performance—like in the real world. IP Trainer does. Thank you for making a great program. —J. Alvey

Operating Manual

Hardware & Software Comparison