Could this be bad?

[jknight8907]

Well, maybe not 'bad', but 'not good'...

Right now, one of my dad's jobs with the family trucking business is chief pilot (okay, the only pilot). According to most of the other pilots who he has flown with, he's one of the most skilled pilot's they've seen. The current plane is a PA-31 Navajo. Before that was a Sundowner and a Cherokee 6. I fly with him whenever I can, and he lets me fly quite a bit. (Yep, this is legal, it's not charter or anything, just Part 91) After flying here and there with him for most of my 15 years, I'm pretty good. I'm comfortable in IMC conditions, can fly a pretty good ILS, and can hold altitude within +-40 feet and heading within a few degrees while in cruise.

So I'm wondering, is there any way that already being comfortable in the clouds would be detrimental during flight training? I can't think of any, but I figured you guys might have an opinion on it.

thanks

 

[uwochris]

Yes- do not become complacent. You know the saying- "complacency kills." I'm not implying that you are a bad pilot, but trust me, your experience is still limited. Follow the rules, and develop some personal limits, and do not break them.

Good luck with the training. The IFR is a lot of fun. Your experience will certainly come in handy, but just don't let it get to your head.

 

[Bjammin]

No, having stick time is good almost no matter what.

The problem comes if you have formed bad habbits or you think that the way you have been doing things is absolutly the right way and try to stiff arm change.

Always remember the instructor is right, if you disagree with something he says don't question him then, look it up, find a good way to formulate a question, and approach him with it.

IP's can be wrong, but make sure you have a case to stand on before you go telling him that.

Another problem can pop up if you are learning an entirely different type of flying.
ex: going from civilian to military.

Some techniques can be total different and mess you up. Just be careful, study hard, and you'll do fine. Having good airwork is half the battle.

bjammin

 

[jknight8907]

Thanks a lot for the input. I'll be sure and keep that in mind. I don't have to worry about the military thing, I wouldn't be able to get into the aviation program. (corrected vision)

What does IP mean? I'm guessing it has to do with the instructor.

thanks!

 

[IP076]

Experience doesnt hurt....

I just have one thing to add, make sure you concentrate on "Visual Attitude" flying during your Private and Commercial training and manuevers. By this, I mean, can you fly all your manuevers with the instruments covered? Remember, this is how VFR flying is done!

Other than that, good luck, and enjoy the training!

 

[Bjammin]

IP is Instructor Pilot. If you wanted to go military, they take people that have lasik, just a thought.

 

[Goose Egg]

I think your biggest problem will be re-learning how to fly with your eyes outside, vs. in the cockpit. We all did it though--focused too much inside on the instruments during VFR flying. The difference between you and us is that you formed your habits in a real airplane, whereas the rest of us formed them on Microsoft Flight Sim.

But then again, you shouldn't have any trouble with your instrument training at all (neither did I, come to think of it). Fifteen and already shootin' ILSs and holding headings? Naw, you'll do fine.

One other thing, don't get frustrated if you can't pick up something right away. You have a pretty good head start but that doesn't mean that you won't have to work for it...

At least you know that you like flying, which is more than 75% of the guys starting out can say.

PM with any q's.

-Goose

 

[jknight8907]

Yeah that's one thing I've been working on recently, now that the weather is getting better. My dad mentioned to me that he noticed I was starting to rely on the instruments too much in clear weather, so I make it a point to constantly scan the horizon for traffic, possibly more that necessary, and i'm already becoming more comfortable with flying using outside references.

 

[Goose Egg]

...and i'm already becoming more comfortable with flying using outside references.

Good. Let us know how things go. Are you going to solo when you are 16? That'd be super cool. I didn't get to solo until I was 17. I know, I know, always laggin' behind...

-Goose

 

[jknight8907]

I'm planning on it. My instructor thinks I will. Also I plan on doing a tailwheel addon as well as multi-engine and instrument.

Is there such a thing as an acrobatic rating? Or is it just a certain amount of instruction without a rating addon? My instructor (Russ Amos, Batesville AR) has a Pitts and a Cub that I can use for my training if I want. My primary airplane is going to be my dad's 'backup plane', a newly painted and interiored Beech Sundowner.

thanks!s