Ok, I understand the concept, but I can't seem to work it out in practice. I am quite comfortable flying an ILS in smooth stratus to minimums, even if they are 200' and 1/2 mile. However, I wouldn't do the same approach in moderate turbulence if ceilings were 400 feet. If there was terrain around near the missed approach I'd adjust the minimums up some more. Also, if the forecast was for 200' I'd stay on the ground and not launch, but if it were 400' I might go, if I knew I had easy access to an alternate with forecast 1,000 foot ceilings. If there was any chance of icing with freezing to the ground I'd raise my "personal minimums" to staying VFR.
So my "personal minimum" varies from 200 to 2,000 feet, with many factors. In practice I work it out before each flight and it is in fact just the sum of the factors that at some point makes me uncomfortable. I think it's fine if you rarely fly IMC or if you're just learning to use the rating, to limit your use of the IR to say, 1,000 feet and 3 miles. With training and practice, and good equipment, it is perfectly safe to fly to published minimums.
Do those of you who fly a lot of IMC actually strictly adhere to "personal minimums." I think the whole concept is overrated and is a poor substitute for "personal judgement."
So my "personal minimum" varies from 200 to 2,000 feet, with many factors. In practice I work it out before each flight and it is in fact just the sum of the factors that at some point makes me uncomfortable. I think it's fine if you rarely fly IMC or if you're just learning to use the rating, to limit your use of the IR to say, 1,000 feet and 3 miles. With training and practice, and good equipment, it is perfectly safe to fly to published minimums.
Do those of you who fly a lot of IMC actually strictly adhere to "personal minimums." I think the whole concept is overrated and is a poor substitute for "personal judgement."