advise for one with 1 hour of actual..

[Vavso]

Hi all , I know I am setting myself up but here go's. Got a significant # of hours good amount of night time my own plane which is decked out for IFR and a very stable platform.( no autopilot). I am intimidated about flying actual . Knowing its winter I do not plan on flying in even a suggestion of icing . Whats the best way to get off the stick and fly it . I was figuring on a calm day with 1,000 + foot ceilings until I get used to it ..My trips will be no longer than 1-1.5 hours I am just plane old nervous .The thought of being in my plane while everything is white around me freaks me a little.I know that after it happens it will be a non event but still... thanks Vavso

 

[cessna_driver2]

Take an insturctor. Just because you have the ticket doesn't mean you know your own limits. I'm sure that would be an instructor out there to help you feel comfortable about being in actual.

 

[minitour]

I'd go up with a II that's current...get some more actual if you're nervous or apprehensive...

-mini

 

[rumpletumbler]

There is a problem though of putting your confidence in the instructor and not building any yourself. If you don't go alone then it won't help much.

 

[atrdriver]

Either a CFII or a friend who is current and that you trust. Don't feel bad or embarrassed, it's better to be too cautious than too bold.

 

[rumrnr78]

My first lesson as a CFII with a student was a great actual "baby step" day. 1000' bases with tops around 3000'. I myself remember being nervous and I was current!

I would recommend going up with a II. If I were going to get current in a single that's what I would do. Cheers!

BTW, you have asked a great question. You would be setting yourself up (in a bad way) if you didn't ask!!

 

[GravityHater]

You have the right idea, the right attitude and lots of good advice here. Many people have had the same experience of nervousness.
I bet you will do it and find a special joy when you finally complete your first few with no trouble.
1. You know the procedures.
2. You can handle the airplane.
3. You are fully legal as is the airplane
(good reminders to give you courage!)

Here are some things I have heard and used:
Find a layer to just pop through first. If you get bored on top, ask for an altitude that puts you in it for a while.
Depart with an imc ceiling to a vfr or hi imc destination but a lot of on top flying enroute.
Then maybe some longer duration enroute imc.
Complete the full approach in each case if traffic allows.
All before you gradually work on approaches to lower and lower wx.

 

[mattpilot]

Go up NIGHT VMC and practice.... without the hood of course.... that helps a bit and is the next best thing to Day IMC .... it should help build your confidence..

 

[minitour]

Follow Up:

CFIIs out there...how long did it take you to get comfy with a newbie in the left seat in actual? Do you use the same minimums you set for yourself as a standard? Are you ever comfortable with an instrument student to the left?

-mini

Matt:
That's a good idea...flying at night is almost like being on the gages anyway...just file IFR so if you do happen to pop into a cloud you're still legal...chances are you won't know the difference...

 

[AAslag]

I have no comment, just like to look at mattpilot's Avatar.

 

[rumpletumbler]

I'm working on my CFII. You know it is really odd but I'm the most uncomfortable on CAVU days. I don't know why. I'm much more comfortable in actual than I would be say in Arizona. Weird I know....

 

[Big Dog]

For God's Sakes and all that is good & holy, dig up an instructor and get into the clouds! An instrument rating and all the IFR gear in your A/C is more useless than tits on a cue ball if you can't get into the clouds without fearing for your life. Get yourself 5-10 hours of actual instrument, dual instruction doing approaches, holding and learning your gear like the back of your hand. When your not flying, dig into your manuals until you can quote them chapter and verse, normal and abnormal procedues, while you're flying. Then, when you feel confident & have recent wet time & realize that just beacuse it looks like the inside of a marshmello outside the A/C it won't fall out of the air without good reason, leave your Teddy Bear at home and get into the clouds Solo. Fly it in MVFR/light IFR conditions. Do this 2-3 flights and then do it at night. EVERYTHING is more difficult at night. Then fly in slightly worse conditions. Repeat this basic process until you reach your personal minimums and you are confident that you can perform consistanly at those personal minimums. Then get up and go somewhere.
Seeing people with IFR tickets and no wet time is a huge personal pet peeve of mine. As a full time instructor, I see this all the time from the wonder pilot puppy mills in Florida and it's dangerous. We want everyone that graduates from our IFR course to have no less that 10 actual instrument hours. Flying actual IFR is a perishable skill and needs regular practice. Don't slack off and not fly for 3-4 weeks and expect to be performing well either. Don't expect Microsoft to be much help either, this has to be done in the A/C with you being the manager of the flight. You will see that IFR flying is a study in management in addition to A/C control. Think like this and you'll keep yourself the perverbial 10 minutes ahead of the airplane.

 

[saltyworks]

This months AOPA flight saftey pub, that comes for free in the mail to all CFIs, has some good articles on this very subject.
I think that you need more than one hour with a CFII before going up yourself.

 

[SharkBait]

Vavso,
It probably took me around 50 hours of actual IMC to be comfortable flying in that type of weather. (As comfortable as VMC) I always suggested to my students after they got their ticket, to file and fly VMC in the IFR environment. If things get out of hand, have your Plan B ready. (Cancel IFR and continue VFR) As you get acquainted, pick a day when you know you can climb above the layer and keep your options open. Continue to push yourself slowly until you have found YOUR personal minimums.

I don't know how long ago you took your checkride, but at that point there were 2 other pilots (your instructor and examiner) with who you demonstrated your ability. If the checkride has been recent, I would suggest leaving your crutch on the ground. If need be, take a safety pilot (non-instructor) along.

Until then, do like the FAR's say and be familiar with ALL information concerning the flight. Know where all the navaids are along the route. Know where the available airports, intersections, wx stations are, and play out possible scenarios in your head that the controller may give you. The more prep work you do on the ground, the smoother the flight will go.

 

[Vik]

The thing I love about SoCal is the marine layer. Geats non-turb IMC practice and if you go early in the mornings on weekdays, you can ask the controllers for all sorts of requests .. "Can you assign me a hold at 3,000?" .. and they'll do it. "Can I practice my holds around Seal Beach VOR at 3,000 and no more than 10 DME from the VOR?" .. and they've let me do it and even asked if I knew that would be in the "thick of things."

Of course, this is when they aren't busy. I love flying in the clouds. Its so calm and soothing. I guess I gotta get off my a$$ and start flying in something other than marine layer and it won't be so "clam and soothing."

 

[EagleRJ]

Go for a short flight on an MVFR non-icing day. You have a good attitude, as far as not jumping into the hardball stuff right away! You'll live a long life with that philosophy.

You really only would need to fly with a CFII if it's been awhile since you did your training, or you're too apprehensive to go alone the first time. Going alone for the first time is a great confidence-builder, and it feels great once you've done it!