This morning I scheduled to retake my IFR written exam next week at a testing center here in NYC. I've been studying daily for nearly a month now and started taking practice tests about a week ago. There are still a few areas I'm rusty on and will continue studying through the weekend, but I'm consistently getting scores of about 80% on the practice tests (you need $70% to pass). Ideally, I'd like to beat the 87% I got the first time I took the test back in the summer of 2007.
Last Thursday, I took an early afternoon and did some solo flying in the 182RG just to get away. It was another one of those amazingly gorgeous days and I just wandered up along the Housatonic River to the CT/MA border, did a 180-degree turn and headed back. It was just so relaxing, with great visibility.
I spent a good chunk of last Saturday sitting down with Dan to review all of the ground school materials. We powered through almost all of the slides he had prepared for the 2007 ground school and it was extremely helpful. On a couple of the practice tests, I've noticed that a comment he made here or there about a subject will pop into my head to help in answering--eg the ] next to a weather reporting station means what? (automated reporting).
I also got a chance yesterday to chat with my assigned Sporty's instructor, Eric, talking through my experience so far, what I'm hoping to get out of the training (ie I'm planning to fly in actual IMC after this, rather than just use it as a rusty emergency tool), etc. We're set to meet the morning of April 5th to discuss further and then probably take an assessment flight to see where I'm at so that we can better tailor the training for what I need. Eric sounds like a nice guy and I'm sure we'll work well together.
A couple of other little logistic things to take care of over the next week, but all systems are go for my quasi-vacation. Can't wait!