Prepping for IFR Ticket

It's about time I get my IFR ticket. It will help with insurance, make me a better pilot, give Sandi a little more comfort when flying close to clouds and allow us to get out and go places when layers of clouds keep us pinned down. My personal minimums will be quite high. I have no desire nor the intention of spending hours flying in the clouds. There are many flyable days that we could get somewhere but are stopped by a cloud deck at 1500 ft that is maybe 500ft thick and VFR on top. On long trips, flight planning is an issue... we can get there but can we get back?

The airplane is mostly ready for IFR work. I need a pitot/static check, transponder check. I need to install the GPS/NAV annunciator. I've ordered a TruTrack ADI Pilot II to replace my straight ADI. This will give me a 2-axis autopilot. AP is nearly a requirement when doing IFR in an RV.

Pilot readiness: I started on my written IFR about a year ago but didn't finish, so I've started studying again. I have the ASA DVD's/books along with several other IFR study books. I want to get it knocked out in the next month.

I have an instructor lined up. His name is Andy. He's a controller at Kansas City Center, he's building an RV-7 and even better, he's moving to Ottawa where we live! He can't get started until mid-September which will probably work out OK. Give me time to get the plane ready and get my written done or mostly done.