Jonathan Sorger wrote:
I will be starting IFR training soon and would like to minimize the
pain /
maximize my learning potential.

Is there anything that recent (or not-so-recent) IFR students wish
you
had done in preparation for training? (specific books to read, home
flight simulator)

I finished my IFR rating in the minimum time. Here's some of the
things
that I think really helped:
1) I already had almost 300 hours VFR, and had been flying the same
airplane
for over a year so I was familiar with it.
2) I read a couple of IFR books thoroughly (The Art of Instrument
Flying,
Rod Machado's Instrument Flying Handbook) and took the written test
before
starting my flight training. I later picked up Robert Gardner's
Complete
Advanced Pilot book, which is very good, but I still like the Art of
Instrument
Flying the best (sorry Bob). I used the Gleim book to study for the
written - it's good for passing the test but not much else.
3) I spent 2 or 3 VFR flights practicing precision flight maneuvers - a
pattern
for these was listed in the AoIF book, including 500 fpm climbs and
descents
with and without turns, VOR tracking maneuvers etc. On your VFR
flights
practice VOR tracking, flying to IFR standards, and FLIGHT FOLLOWING to
become familiar with ATC communications.
4) I spent the maximum allowable time in a PCATD flight simulator with
instructor at the airport, and also practiced a little on Microsoft
Flight
Simulator at home - use MSFS to focus on your procedural skills more so
than
the actual flying skills, it's also helpful for partial panel and other
emergency simulations.

Good luck!
--
Allen Johnson