Instrument Training in a Tandem Aircraft

[olympiashorts]

I have an experimental Cub with a glass panel and no instruments in the back seat. I am hoping to get instrument rated but doubted that there are instructors out there who would be willing to train in my plane. I thought about offering to give them opera glasses so they can see the panel from the back seat but I'm guessing this wouldn't "fly" either . Does anyone out there have experience with this? Living in western Washington we often have a marine layer with blue skies less than 1000' feet up and plenty of VFR elsewhere so this is my main motivation.

 

[midlifeflyer]

I do IPCs for a friend in his Husky. It’s a challenge. My EFB’s “glass panel” page helps but it’s still difficult. But in my case, my friend knows what he’s doing.

When he upgraded his panel, it was a little more like initial instrument training. Extremely difficult because avionics errors could only be corrected with words. No demonstrations until on the ground with an app. We ended up renting a Cherokee with similar equipment for a few flights.

That’s what you may be facing.

 

[Waldom]

If you can't find a CFII willing to do the initial instrument training in your airplane, I guess you're left with getting the rating in whatever airplane your chosen flight school uses for an instrument trainer.

If that airplane happens to be equipped with analog instruments, that isn't all bad. Learning to maintain situational awareness with steam gauges is harder than when a graphic picture is provided for you by a glass panel. In my opinion, learning with analog instruments tends to make a better instrument pilot, much like taking primary flight training in a tailwheel airplane tends to make a better "stick" than those trained in a tricycle gear airplane. However, there is an argument to be made to seek initial instrument training in an airplane with a glass cockpit. If you learn on steam gauges, additional training with the operation of electronic flight systems would be required. More time and money spent! [As an airplane owner, you should be used to that by now.]

Either way, you will end up training in an airplane with a glass cockpit. If you have to do this in another airplane, it would be to your advantage if that airplane had the same EFS as your Cub. If not the same model of equipment, at least the EFS should be from the same manufacturer in order for the menu architecture to be the same.

I think you will enjoy getting the instrument rating. From your point of view, the rating will allow extra utility from your airplane. It will certainly do that, but you will also find that the training will make all of your flying much more precise.

 

[Neal]

An instrument rating is great, IMHO it's where you really learn about the system and become a safer and more educated pilot. While I'm not an instructor in the civilian world, my background is military, single seat at that (no two seaters - A-10's) I think a tandem aircraft would be a problem. Probably doable but I think there is so much more value and training to have someone at your side, pointing out the info on the instruments, especially in this day and age where there is so much details such as on the panel in your NX cub. There is a lot to learn and you're going to learn a lot of this from your instructor showing you things as they happen. I don't know that I (if I were a CFII) would feel comfortable in IMC having to look over your shoulder at instruments.

While not ideal, I think it would be to your great benefit to get your instrument training in a side-by-side config, and preferably a similar panel such as Garmin so you can learn all the intricacies of the "magenta world" were are in today. You can certainly practice in your aircraft (VFR) and enjoy your panel, but I think to get the very important training and highest quality, it needs to be done right with someone at your side. Just my $.02 @olympiashorts.

 

[Cubonaut875]

My next challenge that I have been putting off for 50 years. I really have no desire to fly when I can't see outside but I think overall it would make me a better safer pilot.

 

[Neal]

My next challenge that I have been putting off for 50 years. I really have no desire to fly when I can't see outside but I think overall it would make me a better safer pilot.

I have no desire to fly IMC again but I do enjoy flying approaches. They're like a puzzle and fun to exercise and also see how the modern tech makes it so much easier. Obviously back in my days in A-10's everything was hand flown and I prefer that but enjoy seeing what the tech can do today.

 

[Waldom]

I have a Cub with no gyro instruments in the panel. I flew my last Flight Review in that airplane and it included a GPS RNAV circling instrument approach using foggles in VMC. How?

I was using a Stratus AHRS displayed on a landscape oriented iPhone mounted on the instrument panel. I used a a Sentinel Pro Plus for the navigation display on a kneeboard-mounted iPad using the ForeFlight application.. The Sentinel also served as a back up AHRS. It could have been done without using the Stratus but I prefer the Stratus AHRS display on the iPhone. This arrangement doesn't provide vertical guidance so the approach was flown to LNAV circling minimums. It all worked quite well.

I have also flown straight-in LNAV approaches to minimums with goggles and a safety pilot. They work well too. You can even load the approaches from the ForeFlight database. Of course, you can't legally fly the approach on on ForeFlight in IMC.

I stay IFR current in other airplanes and obviously don't fly IFR in the PA-11, but its nice to know you can get yourself on the ground safely with this lash up if everything else goes South ........ and you have practiced it.

 

[Cubonaut875]

I think if your last flight review included a GPS RNAV circling instrument approach on an I phone - you probably need to find someone else to do your flight review. Unless the flight instructor is your buddy and you were just showing him/her it could be done. I definitely agree with figuring out how to do it however.

 

[midlifeflyer]

I really have no desire to fly when I can't see outside

That's funny. I lowered my personal minimums for IFR departure just last month.