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HunkaChedda@reddit

Sheppard bro, just do the study strategies. If you fail after that I don’t think you can be saved. Goodluck Sir

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TrashcanAccountant@reddit (OP)

Thanks. Is Sheppard really that different from Sportys?

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ljthefa@reddit

Report back in 48 hours after you study with Sheppard

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TrashcanAccountant@reddit (OP)

Will do, thank you

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ljthefa@reddit

Your comments and post histories turned off so I have no idea if you used Shepherd or not. Did it work?

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TrashcanAccountant@reddit (OP)

Hey there. Yes, this is my burner account. I am currently going through the Sheppard course and it's been extremely useful. Its taking me a little more than just 48 hours, there's a point where I just stop processing information and kinda turn to mush, but nonetheless it's been very effective and I'm now a believer. I'll be using Sheppard for each one moving forward. Thanks!

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ljthefa@reddit

Don't try and learn it, learn to memorize it

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HunkaChedda@reddit

Yes. Everyone that comments here is going to tell you to use Sheppard. There’s a reason, it works.

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TrashcanAccountant@reddit (OP)

Yeah no kidding. I've never seen such a unanimous response before

I'll check out Shepard tonight 👍🏻 Thanks everyone

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Oregon-Pilot@reddit

You will want to get the ASA oral exam guide, at the very least, to really learn the stuff though. Sheppard Air teaches you absolutely nothing, but it will get you through the written. Then you really must actually learn the stuff.

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Neither-Way-4889@reddit

If Sheppard teaches you nothing then that is your own fault. Read the explanations

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Purgent@reddit

Sheppard only teaches you nothing if you fail to read the explanations.

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SaratogaFlyer@reddit

thank you. I don’t understand all these people saying it teaches you nothing… it tells me they didn’t actually follow the instructions whatsoever.

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Oregon-Pilot@reddit

Sure, the information is there, but there are so many better ways to learn it

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Mega-Eclipse@reddit

I'll check out Shepard tonight 👍🏻 Thanks everyone

It may be helpful to wait to take the written until the end of training just before your checkride.

Long story short, I took the IRA written twice (my first one expired before I was ready for a checkride).

The first time I took it, was before I started any instrument training...I had all of 3 hours from my PPL.

I used sheppards and passed with a 95, but I definitely felt like I was probably going to get something like 85-90%. The second time I took it was fairly recently (as I am ramping up for a checkride)...The second time felt WAAAAY easier. The first time felt like I was just memorizing random trivia. The second time felt like I was simply recalling information I already knew.

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No-Brilliant9659@reddit

Sheppard is a memorization tool. Use it to pass the test. Then actually learn by reading the books, after you pass the knowledge exam

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thederseyjevil@reddit

FWIW I found Sheppard’s explanations of the questions and answers super helpful. I know most people use it solely as a memorization aid but it helped me big time on my oral exam to know the why behind everything.

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dbhyslop@reddit

Just to add to this, instrument more than the others involves a lot of rote memorization. What’s the dry lapse rate? Alternate minimums? VOR service volumes? Allowable error on a VOR check? In the air? Compass turning errors?

A lot of this stuff you can’t really expect to work out from first principles, especially while flying, you have to have it memorized.

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No-Brilliant9659@reddit

Side note, the video on SA’s website about holds changed my life and I recommend it to everyone.

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No-Brilliant9659@reddit

I did the same and it did help me learn. At the same time, you can definitely just bang out all 1200 questions in 4 days if you ignore the explanations, which is what I did for my FII. Or you can read all the explanations and actually learn but do so over a longer period of time.

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lil_layne@reddit

I see the “use Sheppard solely for memorization” parroted in this sub and I also don’t agree with that either. I think what they mean is don’t use Sheppard as a replacement of ground school to learn these concepts which would make sense. But there are so many people that act like Sheppard doesn’t teach you anything at all and is only good for passing tests and I have found that reading the explanations to every question I got wrong or didn’t understand helped me understand the concepts better and they actually cite answers directly from FAA source material like the AIM. I found myself getting very familiar with FAA source material through Sheppard’s explanations way more than I did through my actual ground school.

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Law-of-Poe@reddit

I feel I learned more on SA than I did on Gold Seal. But I can’t say whether or not GS gave me the foundation to launch into a deeper knowledge with SA

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OracleofFl@reddit

Sheppard is about studying the test.

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Law-of-Poe@reddit

FWIW, I did Gold Seal. Got to where I could score a 90% on the practice tests and am now doing Sheppard Air. On step 3. I also have a folder of images on my phone for all of the things I need to memorize (and there’s a lot for IR) and just go through it once per day.

I’m not using Sheppard air to memorize any answers as I fancy myself being a CFI one day and want to be able to teach it. I think it’s actually a great program for just giving you like 50 questions on each topic. I hit walls here and there but by the time you’ve powered through something for 20 questions a given topic, it definitely starts getting easier. I think that’s the strength of SA. The gold seal question bank was so small I was eventually just memorizing answers. SA gives you abundant opportunity to really practice and learn.

Best of luck!

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iketunes00@reddit

You will get a 95-100% on the written if you follow their study strategy. I’ve never gotten below a 98% using Sheppard Air.

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Novel_Economics5828@reddit

Yup! Go through the sportys course then put it aside and do nothing but shepherd following their directions line by line. It will feel like it’s still confusing and never gonna work and then you take the practice test and will score higher than you can imagine. It’s great. I got 98s on the IRA, IGI, and FII in the span of two days.

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thefouthblindmouse@reddit

I am still old school and like King School. Sporty's IFR course was alright. I used a combo of the two for IFR.

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arienaviation@reddit

Sheppard is great, but it seems like it might not be the superior tool. Yeah it helps you pass your tests, put you don't retain any of the knowledge, which seems like thats something you also want.

Is the ground knowledge just not sticking with you? What are you using?

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OneAngryAngel@reddit

Just want to say "thanks" for the validation of my own experience. And offer my respect for coining the term, "so many fiddly little details" where I would have gone with "a multitude of questions written by a self righteous twit playing 'gotcha' rather than testing useful knowledge for the intricacies of flight."
Your diplomacy is to be commended, good sir.

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trying2lipad@reddit

Give it time and keep at it!

For context, I took me 1 month to get the written out of the way. I did online class (flight insight) before Sheppard Air. Used Sheppard Air for 3 weeks (followed it to a tee). Got 97%.

Right now I just finished reading the Instrument Flying Handbook (front to back) and just started the Instrument Procedures Handbook. Only now am I —actually— understanding it with confidence.

Bottomline 1)Sheppard Air for Written. 2) Expand your resources. 3) Keep at it!

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Odd_Entertainment471@reddit

Sporty’s teaches you the material. Sheppard teaches you the test. They ARE NOT the same. Get Sheppard, read the strategy stuff they give you and do what they say. Trust the process. A great score on the written makes the oral a whole lot less risky.

And YouTube the HSI question strategies. There’s a simple trick to getting them right every time.

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Grubbs20000@reddit

Sheppard air bro. Studied it for about a month, got 90% on my written and just passed my IFR checkride 👍🏻

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Extreme-Lime-2129@reddit

Shepp now and for the rest of your ratings, no question.

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kruecab@reddit

I just passed the IRA in January with a 100% and then did my checkride the following week, also passed. Here was my strategy:

I used Gold Seal for my ground school and Sheppard Air to prepare for the written. Sheppard is great, am I recommend following the study guide religiously. Don’t skip a step, don’t try to outsmart it. Just follow it.

But be warned, and I don’t see a lot of people talking about this… it takes a lot of time to properly do Sheppard Air. I basically took off work and told my family that I was not available as of the day after Christmas and studied several hours a day for 7 days straight and took the test on Jan 3. You really need to lock in and focus on the material. One other tip… when you get to the last step, make a list of any questions you are still getting wrong and make memory aids of your own for them. Worked for me.

I also don’t agree that “Sheppard Air doesn’t teach you anything / it’s just memorization.” The explanations are very good. It very much teaches to the test, but the test is what you are supposed to know. Also, some questions the FAA literally scores wrong… im not sure how you would stand a chance to get any of those right without SA telling you “the correct answer is 95min but the test is scoring 87min is correct, so answer 87min.” A really good score on the written doesn’t guarantee a pass on the oral, but it goes a long way. It also helps to take it near the checkride as you have to load all that data into your brain so best to keep it fresh.

Prepping for the oral was a combo of my CFI, the Gold Seal IFR cheat sheet, and watching mock check ride vids on YouTube. Then you just gotta fly!

It’s a lot, but it’s doable. You will feel like your brain is going to explode with info. But it does soak in. Just make sure after you pass that you keep learning and keep reviewing. IFR skills are highly perishable.

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fly123123123@reddit

Please tell me you used Sheppard Air. If you didn’t, what the hell are you doing 😭

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literal_flying_ace@reddit

Are you using Shepherd aircraft

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TrashcanAccountant@reddit (OP)

Sportys, which got me through PPL. Is Shepard really that different?

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literal_flying_ace@reddit

I think everyone else has already hammered this but Sheppard air is a million times better. Pay for it, it's worth it and follow the study method EXACTLY.

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akav8r@reddit

Sportys

Well there's your problem right there!

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LootenantTwiddlederp@reddit

100%. Use Sheppard Air for every written from here on out. I haven't gotten less than a 96% on any of my writtens.

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Feckmumblerap@reddit

Yes. Get Sheppard air. You will probably learn more from Sportys but Sheppard air will get you to pass.

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Feckmumblerap@reddit

Yeah im doing the Sheppard air rn its a pain in the ass, I don’t know how people on here will be like “oh yeah i knocked out the Sheppard air in a week” like bro were you just intravenously no-lifeing Sheppard air for 7 days straight?😂 That being said 40/60 is definitely low for having done the test prep. Have you read any of the books before hand/done a ground school? I personally read the IPH, IFH, and watched a yt ground school before starting the Sheppard air. I still don’t really know what Im doing but at least I have a good general idea of the topics which made it much more bearable. Still a headache but not because it’s difficult, just bc it’s boring as hell and I work full time.

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Fulcrum58@reddit

You just genuinely need to get into flow state and knock out a hundred questions without taking a break

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LowTimePilot@reddit

It's like watching paint dry.

For me, personally, I had to unplug my router and turn my phone off. Once I started to lose focus I took a quick break then went back at it.

What helps is that you get faster each time you go through a question bank. First pass you're just figuring out what's going on. Second pass you've seen the answers before and it's a bit quicker. Third time you're breezing through at 5 answers a minute (except for the questions that require a flight computer).

What helps is you see a lot of the same questions on future tests. PPL, CPL, FIA all share a bunch of questions. Instrument and CFII are almost identical. It really helps.

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Imperial_Citizen_00@reddit

I also did Sheppard, but to pass my Instrument ground class the professor made the IRA the final, we had to show proof of passing in order to get a final exam grade

The way Sheppard is structured, having to cram and immediately take the test right away meant I had to cram over Thanksgiving Break…so good luck taking care of family, the house, Thanksgiving and also try to fit studying in…I think I walked out with a high 70, a pass is a pass…

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Feckmumblerap@reddit

Yeah the cramming part really sucks. I been doing 200 questions a day, thats about the max i can tolerate after getting off an 8hr shift at 11pm.

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Imperial_Citizen_00@reddit

Uh oh! You’re not following their method to the T!!!! The Sheppard gods are gonna be angry /s

Good luck friend, you’re gonna do awesome! If I somehow can pass that damned thing, I know you can! I’m old and stubborn and my brain doesn’t work like it used to, lol

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Fulcrum58@reddit

Get Sheppard air if you want to pass. I procrastinated and didn’t even get to the last step and still got a 97%

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TxAggieMike@reddit

If you’re seeing a common theme referencing Sheppard Air, there is a reason….

It works and works well.

The UI is not new and fancy, but it doesn’t need to be.

You should know going in that you can only use SA on a single platform as the access code locks into that.

I suggest your desktop or laptop so as you need to, you can expand to additional screens.

It can work okay on a tablet but you might feel screen space constrained.

It will work on your phone, but it can fee claustrophobic due to the screen size compared to laptop.

Once you’re underway using SA, please report back and share your progress and thoughts.

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TrashcanAccountant@reddit (OP)

I will, and thank you for the information

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BradKfan2@reddit

Get shep and book your written for 2 weeks out. That’ll lock you in no problem

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DifferentIntern6311@reddit

Sheppard air sucks for the week before the exam until you walk out with a 97

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drdicerchio@reddit

I did some of my IFR training before taking the written and it helped wrap my head around a lot of the material by just being more familiar with the systems.

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earleakin@reddit

The tests are answer recognition.

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retiredaaer@reddit

Knowing and using Instrument Flight procedures and regulations is not just for passing a test. The knowledge and procedures will be used throughout your flying career to accomplish flight in IMC and save the lives of you and your passengers.

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Tomika20@reddit

I used Shepard air and got a 92 on my written after a month of consistent practice

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eSUP80@reddit

The question bank is like 1500 deep so IFR studying just takes a lot longer. I spent 3 months on it while flying concurrently and that strategy worked out well I think.

92% on the written and passed ride first try l- 6 months total

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TxAggieMike@reddit

Sheppard Air to focus on only the IRA knowledge exam

Follow their study method and guide exactly as they have written it.

Best to plan 90 minute sessions with a 5-minute break and very 25 minutes and 10-15 minute sessions every 4th breaks

The Pormordoro method can really work here.

There are many many questions. The mountain looks too tall at first, but short sessions will conquer it.

Plan for about 10-14 half day sessions and you will be ready to kick ass when you take it for real

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Adorable-Meeting-120@reddit

Use Sheppard. Study the explanations, pull up the actual resources, highlight, and take notes.

It is not just a memory tool if you choose not to use it that way. It is an excellent educational tool as well.

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R5Jockey@reddit

Another vote to use Sheppard. Money well spent.

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Koorah3769@reddit

Are you using Sheppard Air? If not, get it and use the study strategy exactly how it’s layed out.

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DM_me_ur_tailwheel@reddit

What are you using to study? I went through the whole King Schools course, took some practice tests and I was good. It was like 8 years ago now so I don't remember my exact score but it was probably something like 95.

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Bluevette1437@reddit

Are you using Sheppard Air? It won’t teach you the knowledge itself very well, but it is the most effective tool for the written exams (assuming you are in the USA)

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Prudent_Classic_1609@reddit

Are you using Sheppard Air for the written prep? If so you definitely should. I felt the same way during my instrument training - even after using Sheppard air and getting a 95% on my written. The oral for my checkride was extremely easy, obviously DPE dependent

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rFlyingTower@reddit

This is a copy of the original post body for posterity:

I just needed to get it off my chest.

PPL was tough, for sure, but I feel like I absorbed the material pretty well.

And honestly I felt the same way about IFR.. but then I took a written practice test and got 40/60

Alright, fine, so did some studying, studied the questions I got wrong plus others, took another practice test..

41/60

Well that's improvement, I guess

There are just so many little details and tucked away regs, this written is gonna whoop me and I feel like from there the checkride will do the same. The oral of the checkride is going to be so confusing 😣

All I can do is keep studying, but it's really getting me down. Throwaway because I'm embarrassed and don't want to get doxxed

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