Single pilot IFR. Sounds pretty scary and draws images of one pilot alone in the clouds overburdened with a thousand things to do in a plane that probably shouldn’t be used in perfect weather let alone solely by reference to the instruments. After reading this I think what we are getting at here is how comfortable you are flying IFR while in IMC by ourselves. We are asked if we would consider flying single pilot IFR. Personally, it would depend on the conditions. A flight that involves an enroute portion through the clouds would be different than a flight that a departure under IMC, IMC along the whole route, and finally a approach to minimums. Personally, at my current experience level flying the enroute part of the flight in IMC and part of the approach IMC would be within my minimums. A flight that would had IMC from departure through approach would be no-go decision right at my current experience level. One of the tips I took from the article was to rehearse the flight with expected alternates and emergencies. Currently when going IFR I have my alternates and I have seen the approach plate and I know the procedures for an emergency. Rehearsing specifically for the flight is important so you catch snags on the ground rather than in flight. Obviously one can’t rehearse a 6hr flight out completely but you prepare for the departure, approach, flying to the alternate, and how to approach an emergency that develops along your route.
I'm not sure that I would feel comfortable flying an approach in IMC right now. Do you think you would have to go on a flight with an instructor through "actual" IMC first?
ReplyDeleteWell during my instrument I was fortunate enough to get approximately 1.1hrs of actual with part of that on an approach. It was not down to minimums but since I have seen it in the enroute and arrival/early approach phase I would be okay flying that. I would of course avoid icing. I think the point is though that you need to be proficient in your instrument skills before doing any instrument flight and going with a instructor is good but going in the simulator is just as beneficial and also attempt difficult approaches and not just the ILS 03 into Ogden.
ReplyDeleteWould you still go if you knew the conditions at the airport was in IMC conditions before you took off? What if the weather was to get worse and you were forced to do an approach down to minimums?
ReplyDeleteIf the conditions were IMC when I took off, at my current experience level I would not go to that airport but there are other airports near the destination with better weather, what's a hours car drive from an airport you felt comfortable landing at. For your other question there is a reason we file alternates.
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