Interesting ATC tape

[pilotman2105]

makes me feel like I can handle flying in the soup when I finish...

Negative. You are qualified to fly in minimal weather, but don't push your luck. Start off with 1,000 foot ceilings and 3+ miles visibility and gradually work up to "flying in the soup."

Otherwise, you'll be a smoking hole in the ground like this guy almost was.

 

[minitour]

...Start off with 1,000 foot ceilings and 3+ miles visibility ...

that isn't "the soup"?

 

[jumppilot]

There's a difference between hard IFR and VFR.

My first solo IFR flight was on a pretty nice day, just flew in good weather to get used to the IFR system, and maybe went through a cloud or two at 5000 feet.

All he is trying to say is don't make your first solo IFR flight a trip to grandmas with an approach down to 200 and 1/2....Heck, even today approaches to 200 and 1/2 are a little tense, and I fly something a little more advanced than a C-172.

that isn't "the soup"?

 

[sky37d]

My first ride, the day after I passed my checkride, was to fly my wife and I to the bahamas. We got about 1 hour into the trip, and went hard IFR. My personal minimums (yeah, I know) are 400 feet. If it isn't 400, I'm not wanting to go there. Don't care if it is ILS or VOR. Anyway, planned for some place, and forecast was wrong, they were at 200 on a circle to land, we opted to alternate, BNA. Flew the ILS, came out of the clouds, runway straight ahead. Wife was impressed.


All of my training was in my plane, no simulator, and a majority of it was actual. One training flight we took off in 100 and 1/4. That will get you on the gages in a hurry. Had one flight with accumlating airframe ice. It took longer, cost more, but I learned TONS by doing the whole thing in the A/C.

However, all you folks who are rushing out to get your IFR tickets should understand the limits of what you can do. More importantly, understand what the A/C can do. We were traversing a center, and I listened to a guy who had lost all vacuum, in a very bad day, and had also lost alternator. Talking on a hand held. He was current, but the plane was gone. Never heard if he made it.

 

[pilotman2105]

...Start off with 1,000 foot ceilings and 3+ miles visibility ...

that isn't "the soup"?

1000 and 3 is technically the minimum weather for VFR (also referred to as MVFR). A drop of either ceiling or visibility from that point is officially IFR.

 

[minitour]

There's a difference between hard IFR and VFR.
...
All he is trying to say is don't make your first solo IFR flight a trip to grandmas with an approach down to 200 and 1/2.....

Well I kind of figured that. Just because its LEGAL for me to fly in 500 overcast from here to Cal E Forn E Yah doesn't mean its smart or safe....goes back to that whole common sense thing and legal/smart/safe where one doesn't always mean the other...

...but I guess we're pilots (heh) so its good not to assume common sense sometimes....

-mini

 

[FracCapt]

Just another reason I'm glad to be getting the instrument rating...not that this kind of stuff doesn't happen to instrument rated pilots, but...makes me feel like I can handle flying in the soup when I finish...

-mini

A friend of mine, who is pretty low time(CFI, CFII with about 500TT, and less than 5 hours actual IFR), recently had a flight with 600' ceiling and 3 miles vis at the departure airport, and about 1500' ceilings at the arrival airport. It was only a 45 minute flight, and he was obviously qualified to do the flight....but he admitted that upon entering the clouds after departure, he got vertigo and a bit disoriented for a couple seconds. He even said he knows he has to trust the instruments, but he had a hard time doing so. He is, IMO, completely competent to be flying in such weather - but not in 200 and 1/2. I would say he's ok in 500 and 2 or so right now, based on his actual IFR experience(or lack thereof).

Until you have gained a fair amount of actual IFR time, you will likely be the same way. Once you have a lot of IFR time, you won't have any problem trusting your instruments, and you won't get disoriented and/or vertigo when you enter IMC. Take it slow.

 

[sonofaeagle]

Missing the point.

I think a lot of people are missing the point on this. Its not just a scary situation but a good example of how good our FSS people are. I don't know if privatizing will be good or bad... I just hope if I ever need help I get someone like the guy that helped here.


Privatization is coming. I found this on NAATS website.


July 3, 2004
Mr. Wally Pike
President
National Association of Air Traffic Specialists
11303. Amherst Avenue, Suite 4
Wheaton MD 20902

Dear President Pike:

America's air traffic control system and its employees form the backbone of the world's safest air transportation system. Members of the National Association of Air Traffic Specialists provide man), essential services to the flying public that are critically important to the safety and security of the national airspace system.

As I have maintained throughout my career in public office, the core functions of our nation's air traffic control system are inherently governmental. That is why I have been disappointed with the Bush Administration's plans to conduct an A76 study and to outsource key components o four air traffic control system. This appears to be part of a concerted effort to privatize all air traffic control services.


Under a Kerry Administration, there will be no outsourcing of air traffic control, including work in flight service. Indeed we will restore the partnership between the FAA and all its employees that is essential to true progress in the important task of advancing key modernization efforts and keeping our skies safe.


I would be honored to have your support and the endorsement of the National Association of Air Traffic Specialists.


Thank-you for your consideration.

Sincerely,
​

John F Kerry
​