Hello,

I'm trying to find the most cost-effective way to get a Multi-IFR in my circumstance.

I took advantage of as much extra (free) instrument training I could get at my school, and as a result, I only need 5hrs instrument flight time. This includes the 100nm X/C, and 5 hours on a multi.

I've looked around at school websites, and they all seem to have a prescribed 'program'. With estimates of up to 20 hours and $5-10k.
I want to try and get it done in as little time as possible.

Is there any school(s) that will try to get me done in close to 5 hours without "milking" me? I emailed Cornwall about this, but they didn't even respond.

Thank you

Your best bet is to call Cornwall, I recently did my renewnal there and they are a very well run operation. I tried emailing them but got a quicker response from calling them. Its one of the best run FTUs I've ever seen. Talked to a few past students that have gotten their MIFR done there and they had nothing but nice things to say.

Do you even have a multi engine rating? What did you do during your instrument training? Just because you have the instrument "hours" doesn't mean you are ready for an IFR flight test. There is a lot more to the rating than what you get during your CPL training, especially if it is a multi IFR rating. 5 hours will not cut it anywhere.

Just remember that whatever decision you make, there are 3 basic features that you need to choose from and this venn diagram applies -

I highly doubt anyone can teach you both Multi and IFR within 5 hours.
In any case, stay away from big MIFR puppy mill schools. They have programs that they usually stick to. Go to a small school, they would be more flexible and would offer you training customized to your needs.

Buy a Saitek Yoke and Throttle Quadrant and FS9. Read the AIM, CAP GEN, Air Command Weather Manual, and the Instrument Procedure Manual. The old TC IP Manual is free online like the AIM. There's a new one by Capt. David Holland that is an easy read considering the material it covers. Practice holds, full procedure approaches, circling, straight in, missed approaches, RNAVs you name it. It's best if you have someone knowledgable to sit with you and give you different scenarios. IFR can just about be self taught (the theory anyway). If you study enough, once you finish your multi-engine checkout and get comfortable with your training aircraft of choice, you'll find the IFR ride a lot easier than if you had blindly walked into a FTU. Study your a$$ off and you'll save mucho dinero.

I can't disagree more. The literature mentioned above is terrific, but you can NOT teach yourself initial IFR.
It's less about knowing the linear procedures as knowing WHY you are doing things at certain times, things to be AWARE of, and most importantly, what NOT to do and why. A good instuctor will lay the groundwork for a safe and dynamic IFR pilot, not one that just parrots back prescribed procedures.
Is it about passing a ride in .5 less training hours or preventing a CFIT a year later?? Maybe I've misread the above poster, and no disrepect, but what a terrible idea. You need some dual intro first, or else you'll really be banging your head against the wall man!

Now, practicing with a sim by yourself AFTER you've had some good initial IFR training is good advice and will help a lot in cutting your aircraft times down, by all means practice on your own with flight sim, about the only thing it's good for as a genuine training aid. IFR is new and different flying from your vfr work up to this point, so practice is golden.

Cheers

(Former, and sometimes again MIFR instructor dude.)