foka4
Pre-takeoff checklist
- Joined
- Oct 31, 2006
- Messages
- 236
- Location
- Ankeny (Des Moines), IA
- Display Name
Display name:
Matt Scudwalker
I thought I'd chime in with a few thoughts after a few weeks of being an IFR pilot.
1) It sure is handy. I made a quick day trip from Des Moines (DSM) to Lincoln (KLNK) yesterday to visit my aging grandfather, and with all of Iowa and Nebraska blanketed in thick clouds and low ceilings, I simply couldn't have attempted the trip VFR, even in a slow airplane.
2) I've heard a lot of IFR pilots have a lot of anxiety about flying in IMC after getting the rating. It's serious business, but I didn't hesitate to start using the rating as soon as I got it. I figure I'm more current now than I will be for a long time, so I might as well fly in clouds while I'm fresh. Flying real IFR flights in real IMC has been great for building confidence.
3) I went out of my way to find opportunities to fly in IMC during my IFR training. It worked out well, and almost 1/3 of my training was in the real thing. I even did 3 XC flights just to practice IFR decision making. I think it was a tremendous benefit to approach the training this way. IMC wasn't a big deal to me by the time the training was done.
4) I really wish I'd gotten the rating sooner, but building 500 hrs as a VFR-only pilot in a slow airplane taught me a lot about flying. Building on that strong foundation was a big help in the IFR flight instruction, and I think it makes me a safer IFR pilot.
5) I developed a strong affinity for my 496 as a VFR pilot, but I consider it essential equipment for IFR flying. If you fly IFR and don't have XM WX, shop for a used 396 or 496 on ebay and pony up for the weather subscription. I know people who have the GPS, but don't like the monthly expense of the XM subscription. Heck, I'd drop cable TV before I'd drop XM WX.
6) IFR flying is like crack, but it's legal. I thoroughly enjoy it. And the high doesn't go away.
7) I love my 140, but I need an IFR airplane. Anyone want to trade? I'm just looking for something that's fast and economical. Oh, and I need WAAS and a nice autopilot. Aerobatic capability would be nice. Of course, it has to be a taildragger....
1) It sure is handy. I made a quick day trip from Des Moines (DSM) to Lincoln (KLNK) yesterday to visit my aging grandfather, and with all of Iowa and Nebraska blanketed in thick clouds and low ceilings, I simply couldn't have attempted the trip VFR, even in a slow airplane.
2) I've heard a lot of IFR pilots have a lot of anxiety about flying in IMC after getting the rating. It's serious business, but I didn't hesitate to start using the rating as soon as I got it. I figure I'm more current now than I will be for a long time, so I might as well fly in clouds while I'm fresh. Flying real IFR flights in real IMC has been great for building confidence.
3) I went out of my way to find opportunities to fly in IMC during my IFR training. It worked out well, and almost 1/3 of my training was in the real thing. I even did 3 XC flights just to practice IFR decision making. I think it was a tremendous benefit to approach the training this way. IMC wasn't a big deal to me by the time the training was done.
4) I really wish I'd gotten the rating sooner, but building 500 hrs as a VFR-only pilot in a slow airplane taught me a lot about flying. Building on that strong foundation was a big help in the IFR flight instruction, and I think it makes me a safer IFR pilot.
5) I developed a strong affinity for my 496 as a VFR pilot, but I consider it essential equipment for IFR flying. If you fly IFR and don't have XM WX, shop for a used 396 or 496 on ebay and pony up for the weather subscription. I know people who have the GPS, but don't like the monthly expense of the XM subscription. Heck, I'd drop cable TV before I'd drop XM WX.
6) IFR flying is like crack, but it's legal. I thoroughly enjoy it. And the high doesn't go away.
7) I love my 140, but I need an IFR airplane. Anyone want to trade? I'm just looking for something that's fast and economical. Oh, and I need WAAS and a nice autopilot. Aerobatic capability would be nice. Of course, it has to be a taildragger....