Flying IFR

[Flyin Tony]

I have not flown in a cloud or under VIS of about 5 miles ever sense I got my IFR in DEC. The other day I was out and about in the Comanche and wanted to go into the LA Basin. But IFR like always. Just a OVC layer at 020-030 1,000 ft thick with 10sm vis under it. I thought about going but my Dad and my Brother were with me and I didnt want to kill us all.
What are the best places to go to get good at the scan and just flying IFR. I dont think I want to do it at my FBO. I would like to go with someone that flys the stuff all the time. Does anyone know of any schools that do a IPC program that I can do in my plane. I know of a few but does anyone know of the good places.
I found www.dsflight.com that looks like it would be fun. Anything will Help thanks and fly safe, Tony

 

[IP076]

Now there is a business idea. This guy has definately got a good head on his shoulders. 5500 dollars each, thats 11000 per trip. Lets say 30 hours on the airplane at 100 an hour is only 3000. Add in some room and board, I bet this guy makes good money doing that. And its fun! Seems like a good program though. It'd be a good way to gain some experience, but expensive.

 

[350DRIVER]

This is the problem with many of the CFII's that I have come across in this industry, they will not get their students much actual instrument time. Why? Probably because they do not have much time in the soup themselves and the confidence level is not where it needs to be at to be taking their students up in it. It is quite sad that one can actually obtain the instrument rating with all time being in "simulated" conditions versus gaining the actual real life experience in the real imc. I would not throw your money away with those fly by day outfits, go find a good & experienced CFII and get some actual instrument time until you feel comfortable. I can not recall the amount of PM's I have gotten by II's asking this same very question. If you are a CFII then you should be comfortable enough in the soup to be able to get your students up in it.

money much better spent if you ask me.


3 5 0

 

[IP076]

That's sometimes easier said than done.

I used to instruct in Arizona...I had 35 hours of actual, which was probably more than 90% of the instructors at the school (80) combined. Fact is, you just don't get much actual in Arizona.

I agree though, if you are a CFII, you should take any chance you get to get your students (and you) some actual experience. I used to love taking students to California on IFR cross countries...only thing, it was a long trip, all for a .3 of actual.

I used to laugh because people would be practicing the approaches they were going to fly on cross countries in the sim (CFII's). Isn't the point of an Instrument Rating is that you can fly IFR....anywhere. An ILS is an ILS is an ILS. One shouldn't need any more practice than a thorough approach brief.

 

[Jedi_Cheese]

Honestly, if I had the time/access/money to run through a sim for every approach I would be doing on an XC, I would do it. You can never be prepared enough. Never know when the extra practice will come in handy.

Alot of CFII's around here get some actual. We have icing problems and C172's don't have good de/anti-ice equipment so when it gets cold, you can't go into actual.

 

[labbats]

I make sure that all my instrument students get at least one hour actual before they get signed on the ticket. Most get a lot more than that.
Foggles are no substitute for the real thing.

 

[Mmmmmm Burritos]

My last IFR signoff had about 15-20 hours actual including NIGHT actual IMC. Sure makes them remember to turn the airport lights on before they break out!

 

[Flyin Tony]

Well thanks guys. Im going up today but its real windy. Gust to about 30. And the basen is foged in so we are going to KSNA and KFUL. Thanks for the info. TONY

 

[Jedi_Cheese]

Burritos, how did your student rack up 15-20 hours of actual?

 

[labbats]

I don't know how he did it, but I'll tell you how I maximize IMC.

Block Altitudes.