IFR Training Foggles
Frosted polycarbonate lenses block the view outside so you fly on instruments. Look down and the panel stays clear. Use them from your first hood-time lesson to the instrument checkride.
- Frosted upper lens. Outside references disappear. The instrument panel below stays in view.
- Headset-friendly fit. Slim temples with four length settings sit under most headset ear cups.
- Shatter-resistant polycarbonate. Lighter than a hood and easier to stow.
- Neck strap. When your instructor says "look up", let them drop and keep flying.
- Soft case included. Keeps the lenses clean between lessons.
- Rigid hard case included. Protects the frosting from keys, chargers and everything else in the bag.
The panel stays clear. The windscreen doesn't.
Foggles simulate instrument conditions by frosting the part of your vision that looks outside. Your instructor or safety pilot watches for traffic while you fly the gauges.
Simulated instrument flight in the US needs a safety pilot in the other seat who holds at least a private pilot certificate for the category and class, has a clear view forward and to each side, and the airplane needs dual controls (14 CFR 91.109). Your CFI will brief you before your first hood lesson.
White or premium black?
The lenses and fit are identical. The only difference is the case.
| Feature | White | Premium black |
|---|---|---|
| Lenses | Frosted polycarbonate | Frosted polycarbonate |
| Fit | Adjustable temples, non-slip nose pads | Adjustable temples, non-slip nose pads |
| Case | Soft drawstring case | Rigid zip hard case |
| Neck strap | Included | Included |
| Best for | Students who keep gear in a padded bag pocket | Pilots who toss everything in one bag, and gifts |
| Buy white ↗ | Buy black ↗ |
Get more out of hood time.
Talk the scan out loud
Attitude indicator first, then out to one instrument and back. Saying it out loud on early lessons ("attitude, altitude, attitude, heading") builds the habit fast and lets your instructor hear where your eyes go.
Set them before you start the engine
Adjust the temples with your headset on, on the ground. Fiddling with foggles in the climb is how heading wanders.
Practise the "look up"
Unusual-attitude recoveries end with your instructor saying "recover". Drop the foggles on the neck strap and fly the airplane. Rehearse that move on the ground once.
US private pilot applicants log at least 3 hours of flight training by reference to instruments (14 CFR 61.109). Instrument rating applicants need 40 hours of actual or simulated instrument time (14 CFR 61.65). In Canada, check the current Transport Canada requirements with your instructor.
Foggles questions.
Are these "FAA certified"?
No foggles are. The FAA doesn't certify view-limiting devices. What matters is that they block outside references while letting you see the panel, and that your instructor or safety pilot is happy with them. Be wary of listings that claim certification.
Do they work with a headset?
Yes. The temples are slim and adjust to four lengths, so they sit under most headset ear cups.
Can I wear them over glasses?
Fit over prescription glasses depends on the size and shape of your frames. If you wear larger frames, try them on the ground with your headset before your lesson.
How do I keep the frosting in good shape?
Store them in their case, and clean with a soft cloth only. Avoid paper towels, solvents and loose storage next to keys. That's the main reason the premium version comes with a hard case.