My colleague((and friend 😁)) Edward Abraham and I departed from California to Minnesota in N81034 to train for our CFI-I ratings.((You can read more about that trip in my upcoming post.)) We laid out a training program to test our CFI-I syllabus, including a day of practice instrument approaches.
These practice approaches were chosen for challenging variety, interesting destinations, and efficiency when stringing several together.
The Original Circuit
![](https://cfijack.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/Screenshot-2023-10-11-at-12.04.10 PM-930x1024.png)
KSGS KFCM KSTC KLXL KBRD KHZX KDLH KSUW KOLG KRPD 3T3 KSGS
KFCM | VOR+DME RWY 10R -> Missed |
KSTC | LOC RWY 31 -> Published missed, hold |
KLXL | RNAV RWY 31 (LPV) -> Full stop, ODP departure |
KBRD | ILS RWY 34 -> Published missed, hold |
KHZX | RWY 14 (LNAV, Partial Panel) -> Missed |
KDLH | VOR RWY 3 -> Full stop, lunch |
KDLH | VOR/DME RWY 21 -> Published miss, hold |
KSUW | RNAV RWY 4 (LP) -> Circle-to-land, touch-and-go |
KOLG | RNAV RWY 19 (LNAV, Partial Panel) -> Full stop |
KRPD | RNAV RWY 19 (LPV) -> Published missed |
3T3 | RNAV RWY 26 (LPV) -> Published missed |
KSGS | LOC RWY 34 -> Full stop |
Choosing Airports and Practice Approaches
We started with just a rough idea for our route. We wanted to do 6 approaches in each direction, and we wanted to do lunch in Duluth (KDLH). How I designed this circuit is a Plausibly Useful Idea for other instrument instructors.
I first overlayed an airport approach plate on ForeFlight’s map to see the IAF and missed approach paths. By tapping on a plate in map view, you can quickly swap different approaches. Using this feature, I was able to find approaches that started and ended in a nice string.
![Selecting practice approaches for the circuit using ForeFlight map overlay](https://cfijack.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/152B0D0F-95A1-4AF6-B878-04B5629EA1ED_1_201_a-1024x832.jpeg)
The Pivot
While we were refueling in Little Falls (KLXL)((hometown of Charles Lindbergh, although he didn’t train at this field)), we spoke with a commercial candidate who strongly recommended lunch at Grandma’s in Duluth. She also strongly recommended we land and take a crew car from Sky Harbor (KDYT), instead of Duluth International Airport.
Leaning into the local tip was a great idea: Grandma’s food was delicious and Sky Harbor was incredible!
![Sea Planes at Sky Harbor](https://cfijack.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/8FA95399-9514-40C4-80CE-9650B4DD3EE4_1_105_c-edited.jpeg)
![Ed and Jack at Duluth Harbor](https://cfijack.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/F07E1F78-D8FF-4C92-B3C6-3E195970769D_1_105_c.jpeg)
![Duluth Aerial Lift Bridge](https://cfijack.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/83B74B1C-F796-41B4-BE00-70683A5FF3AD_1_105_c.jpeg)
![Practice Approach into Sky Harbor](https://cfijack.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/IMG_6107-1024x536.jpeg)