I did the IFR West Coast Adventure in Februrary 2005.

I had to fly in from Japan to do it. As such, I didn't even have the
25-odd-hours of basic training done before I got here, so I got a
surprise email from Field Morey, the father of the program: "You come
out to Medford and spend a week with me, and I'll make sure you're
ready for the course."

I spent a week doing approaches and planning and all the stuff people
on this thread are talking about. Field is an amazing instructor, and
things came fast and easy. The following week I headed for Wisconsin
where the WCA starts and ends.

It is a misconception that, since it's not all approaches and holds and
such, the course it not up to par. Not all of IFR flying is about the
little fiddly bits. It takes a very short period of time to learn to
do all the approaches into your home airport. My partner and I
averaged 3 approaches a day during the course, and found that just
getting the airplane from point A to point B requires some thought as
well. I now have no qualms about planning a flight into a strange
airport, asking the right questions, doing the right research, and just
getting out in the clag and doing it. Admittedly, I finished the
course with 20 hours logged on the WCA, but I also got to watch my
partner do his flying as well, with the benefit of not being under
pressure at the time. It's a good experience, learning from the
mistakes of your partner.

Additionally, the WCA aircraft are in no way similar to the little
used-up 172 you're going to rent at the local FBO. These were the
best-maintained, most well-equipped aircraft I have had the opportunity
to fly. I can fly a Garmin 530 with aplomb, I'm comfortable with DME,
VORs, using the HSI, stormscope and NEXRAD. I've had the opportunity
to work with a couple types of autopilots. I see the merits of flying
a turbocharged aircraft, and I've set some personal minimum equipment
boundaries on flying into the clouds.

Bottom line, it ain't all about doing 600 approaches into the 3
airports around your home field. Given proper preparation for the WCA,
I can think of no better way to get your IFR rating.


Good luck in your decision.

Brian