Staying current/proficient

[Kevin Clarke]

Hi All,

Open question to folks, what strategies do you use to stay current or
better yet, proficient?

Check ride is right around the corner. I got signed off for the ride
today. So the currency question is in the back of my mind now. Most of
my flying is x-ctry (2/month) with some local scenic flights.

thanks,
KC

[Mark Hansen]

On 01/30/07 10:26, Kevin Clarke wrote:
> Hi All,
>
> Open question to folks, what strategies do you use to stay current or
> better yet, proficient?
>
> Check ride is right around the corner. I got signed off for the ride
> today. So the currency question is in the back of my mind now. Most of
> my flying is x-ctry (2/month) with some local scenic flights.
>
> thanks,
> KC

Right after I got my IR, I didn't fly for about 4 months and was
astonished at what I had forgotten. For example, when asked to enter
a hold (during a check-flight at the club I was joining), I froze
and couldn't think of how to do it.

After the flight, it all started coming back and I felt pretty
embarrassed about it.

What I do now is to practice with a flight simulator (MS FS 2004
is what I'm using for this). It's a great way to stay in the game
with regard to the IFR procedures, button pressing, OBS, etc.

Do you plan to make your x-country flights IFR once you have your
rating? That would help.

Note that making these flights IFR doesn't really help your legal
currency; you still need to do your six approaches, holding and
intercepting/tracking a radial under simulated or actual IMC, but
it at least keeps the knowledge of how to do these things fresh.


--
Mark Hansen, PP-ASEL, Instrument Airplane
Cal Aggie Flying Farmers
Sacramento, CA

[Peter R.]

On 1/30/2007 1:26:15 PM, Kevin Clarke wrote:

> Open question to folks, what strategies do you use to stay current or
> better yet, proficient?

Are you able to fly for any business-related reasons, say to a business
meeting or, as in my case, to customers who are located out of your home
area?


--
Peter

[JB]

On Jan 30, 1:49 pm, "Peter R." > wrote:
> On 1/30/2007 1:26:15 PM, Kevin Clarke wrote:
>
> > Open question to folks, what strategies do you use to stay current or
> > better yet, proficient?
>

Now that I have my IFR ticket, "good flying days" are those where you
have a stratus layer with a ceiling. Depending on where you are, file
IFR, go out and do 3 local approaches. Try to mix it up...ILS, LOC,
VOR, etc. I think you'll find that most controllers are more than
happy to help you get in some practice with an approach, go published
missed (after a T&G), then do the next, go missed, land at home. No
need to land and get a new clearance after each approach. You can log
3 approaches in a little over an hour. Until you get some real time
in your logbook, set your personal ceiling limit at 2000, 1500 or some
other comfortable level. DON'T fly down to minimums in real IMC the
day after you get your ticket!

If you live in Arizona or some place else where you have "severe
clear", you'll have to rely on foggles and a safety pilot. But try to
avoid that. Its not the same. I live on the east coast and have
plenty of opportunity to shoot practice approaches on weekends in the
muck.

Always fly IFR to your destination even on nice days. While not
loggable, it will help keep you in practice with comms and
navigating.

Good luck!

--Jeff

[JB]

....and get IFR Refresher. A monthly newsletter/mag with no-nonsense
articles about IFR how to-s, what if-s, never again-s. Techniques,
weather decision-making, etc. Worth the subscription fee (and no...I
do not work for them!).

--Jeff

[Kevin Clarke]

JB wrote:
> ...and get IFR Refresher. A monthly newsletter/mag with no-nonsense
> articles about IFR how to-s, what if-s, never again-s. Techniques,
> weather decision-making, etc. Worth the subscription fee (and no...I
> do not work for them!).
>
> --Jeff
>
I do get that. It is quite good. And no, I don't work for them either. I
read everything I can.

KC

[[email protected]]

On Jan 30, 10:26 am, Kevin Clarke > wrote:
> Hi All,
>
> Open question to folks, what strategies do you use to stay current or
> better yet, proficient?
>
> Check ride is right around the corner. I got signed off for the ride
> today. So the currency question is in the back of my mind now. Most of
> my flying is x-ctry (2/month) with some local scenic flights.
>
> thanks,
> KC

The "proficient" portion of the question is answered. Always file IFR.

Except for using foggles, the currency portion of the question remains
unanswered.

When flying IFR without foggles what are the rules for logging toward
currency?

Example, say you start an approach in IMC. You break out and are able
to fly the rest of the approach VMC. Do you count this approach toward
currency?

Thanks in advance,
ak.

[Jim Carter[_1_]]

> -----Original Message-----
> From: Kevin Clarke ]
> Posted At: Tuesday, January 30, 2007 12:26 PM
> Posted To: rec.aviation.ifr
> Conversation: Staying current/proficient
> Subject: Staying current/proficient
>
> Hi All,
>
> Open question to folks, what strategies do you use to stay current or
> better yet, proficient?
>
> Check ride is right around the corner. I got signed off for the ride
> today. So the currency question is in the back of my mind now. Most of
> my flying is x-ctry (2/month) with some local scenic flights.
>
> thanks,
> KC

Kevin,
You should understand that almost every other instrument rated
pilot has the same problem - stay proficient and current. I solve this
by pairing up with some of the other pilots in our local CAP Squadron
and making sure we shoot some approaches or execute some holds at least
once a month. I get most of the work one month and the safety pilot gets
it another month. We each get to benefit from the other's faux pas. It
seems to work out such that we can all stay fairly proficient for about
1/2 the cost of me finding an instructor to ride along.

The x/c stuff is easy to handle because you're already flying
pretty regularly. It's the approaches, holds, departures, and local area
stuff that we need to work on.

[A Lieberma]

Kevin Clarke > wrote in news:f5Mvh.16320$pQ3.8
@newsread4.news.pas.earthlink.net:

> Check ride is right around the corner. I got signed off for the ride
> today. So the currency question is in the back of my mind now. Most of
> my flying is x-ctry (2/month) with some local scenic flights.

Owning my own plane helps alot, so the availability factor is not a problem
for last minute go decisions.

I actively seek IMC whenever I can which forces me to be proficient. I am
up to almost 680 hours with just shy of 40 hours IMC.

I have not had foggles on since training.

Look forward to your checkride report!

Allen

[Doug[_1_]]

Most pilots have trouble with holds because they dont know where the
hold is from where they are. I'll give you a tip, if they say "hold
northwest" (or any other direction) and you get to the holding point
and don't know what to do, turn, to the northwest. This works because
the hold IS northwest (or the given direction) of the holding point.

There are four possible holds on any one radial at a DME (or GPS)
fix. Look in the AIM and write down the four possible holds. There are
two possible holds if the holding point is the VOR itself.

The teaching of holds seems to emphasize how to enter the hold. They
seem to skip WHERE THE HOLD IS!!!

[G. Sylvester]

JB wrote:
> On Jan 30, 1:49 pm, "Peter R." > wrote:
>> On 1/30/2007 1:26:15 PM, Kevin Clarke wrote:
>...Until you get some real time
> in your logbook, set your personal ceiling limit at 2000, 1500 or some
> other comfortable level. DON'T fly down to minimums in real IMC the
> day after you get your ticket!

I have to partly disagree with this. Dont' fly in any IMC until you are
comfortable with a CFII. For me, getting comfortable meant about 2
minutes before going into the cloud, ignore the outside and focus purely
on the instruments and nothing else. There's simply NOTHING to see
outside. If you can get your head in the game, and then keep your
tolerances very tight, it should be no problem doing approaches. In
fact, you might be the most proficient you'll ever be right after your
checkride. I wouldn't do it to minimums because when you drop out the
clouds, you'll be so surprised you actually did it with the runway right
before your eyes you'll probably forget to land. It's a good feeling.
;-) But doing it to minimums + 500 feet should be no problem. I do
have to admit my tolerances is ATP standards and I only have 250 hours.


So to stay proficient. Fly MS FS. I didn't bother spending extra for a
Garmin 430 sim so I'm already at a disadvantage with respect to DTK =
TRK and easy distances to each fix. Then I fly the most challenging
approach I can find, do it with winds 20 gusting 35, partial panel,
heavy rain. I'll do ILS's to 1/4 mile vis with 100 foot ceilings. I'll
do that to near ATP standards. No chance in hell I'd do that in real
life but if I can do that, my head is in the game.

I also read just about everything I can get my hands on and then go
through flights in my head where each scenario would apply. Basically
thinking of how each thing I read applies in real flying.

Then if it has been a while since I've gone up in IMC, I'll make sure to
do it with another pilot (better yet a CFII) before I do it myself. I
do this preferably at night since visual cues are at a very minimum and
with foggles, it simulates IMC reasonably well.

Gerald

[A Lieberma]

"JB" > wrote in news:1170187529.474720.288000
@j27g2000cwj.googlegroups.com:

> No
> need to land and get a new clearance after each approach. You can log
> 3 approaches in a little over an hour. Until you get some real time
> in your logbook, set your personal ceiling limit at 2000, 1500 or some
> other comfortable level. DON'T fly down to minimums in real IMC the
> day after you get your ticket!

Just like Gerald, I'd have to respectively disagree too!

Right out of my training, I did a solo "local "flight in IMC and did
approaches with ceilings of 1000. The entire time other then below the
ceilings I was in solid IMC.

Exposure does build experience.

I was fortunate to have an instructor who took me out in ILS minimums, so
when it came the day for me to do it myself, 1000 foot ceilings were a
walk in the park.

The important thing after getting the IA rating is continous exposure to
IMC so you don't lose that skill of flying without visual reference.
Hood helps, but just isn't the same. I have not used a hood since
getting my IA ticket as I actively seek actual conditions.

I fully do understand, that owning my own plane does allow for more
spontaneity (sp) in seeing oh good, 600 foot ceilings, lets go fly....

> Always fly IFR to your destination even on nice days. While not
> loggable, it will help keep you in practice with comms and
> navigating.

VFR flight following does the same thing....

And, flying in straight and level IMC is not enough for proficiency in MY
experiences.

Allen

[JB]

>
> Example, say you start an approach in IMC. You break out and are able
> to fly the rest of the approach VMC. Do you count this approach toward
> currency?
>

I've seen this debated online over and over and over again. I think
the predominant view is that if you are in/above a layer and fly any
part of the charted approach by relying solely on instruments, it is
loggable. So if you on the approach course and can't see the ground,
then fly thru even a thin layer and break out 2500 AGL, its still
loggable.

But again, there are LOTS of view on this. I'm just reporting what
I've read, so DON'T shoot the messenger.

--Jeff

[Paul kgyy]

I use a PC simulator. If I'm planning a flight somewhere and the
weather looks uncertain, I will do the actual flight on the sim with
crosswinds and low ceilings, including the missed approach with hold.

I always file IFR on cross country flights except where the conditions
are good VFR and IFR involves a long detour (kgyy-kluk for example).
I had also been doing IPCs every 6 months but now my instructor has
relocated so I will probably need to use a pilot friend to fly safety
pilot with me.

[Mark Hansen]

On 01/30/07 13:20, wrote:
>
> When flying IFR without foggles what are the rules for logging toward
> currency?
>
> Example, say you start an approach in IMC. You break out and are able
> to fly the rest of the approach VMC. Do you count this approach toward
> currency?
>
> Thanks in advance,
> ak.

I'm not aware of any rules. When I've asked CFIs in my area about this,
I was told to use this rule of thumb: I can log the approach toward
currency if:

- I reach the initial approach fix in IMC; and

- I don't break out of IMC until after I'm established on my
descent, after the final approach fix or glide slope intercept
point.

But as Jeff says, there are going to be a lot of differing opinions
on this. However, if anyone knows of a legal counsel opinion (or
similar) on this, I would really like to see it.


--
Mark Hansen, PP-ASEL, Instrument Airplane
Cal Aggie Flying Farmers
Sacramento, CA

[John Theune]

Mark Hansen wrote:
> On 01/30/07 13:20, wrote:
>> When flying IFR without foggles what are the rules for logging toward
>> currency?
>>
>> Example, say you start an approach in IMC. You break out and are able
>> to fly the rest of the approach VMC. Do you count this approach toward
>> currency?
>>
>> Thanks in advance,
>> ak.
>
> I'm not aware of any rules. When I've asked CFIs in my area about this,
> I was told to use this rule of thumb: I can log the approach toward
> currency if:
>
> - I reach the initial approach fix in IMC; and
>
> - I don't break out of IMC until after I'm established on my
> descent, after the final approach fix or glide slope intercept
> point.
>
> But as Jeff says, there are going to be a lot of differing opinions
> on this. However, if anyone knows of a legal counsel opinion (or
> similar) on this, I would really like to see it.
>
>
I was taught that if you start the approach in IMC then it's loggable.
Since the approach starts at the IAF, then if you break out after the
IAF you can log it.

[Ray Andraka]

Kevin Clarke wrote:

> Hi All,
>
> Open question to folks, what strategies do you use to stay current or
> better yet, proficient?
>
> Check ride is right around the corner. I got signed off for the ride
> today. So the currency question is in the back of my mind now. Most of
> my flying is x-ctry (2/month) with some local scenic flights.
>
> thanks,
> KC

Several things:
1) file and fly in the system every time you go cross country, even if
the weather is severe clear VMC. Staying in the system keeps you
practiced with the procedures and keeps you sharp on maintaining
altitude and heading, as well as with the radios.

2) Always fly the instrument approach when you arrive at your
destination, regardless of the weather (since you're IFR, your request
for an instrument approach into your destination can't be turned down as
long as it is for the approach officially in use). Just don't bury your
head in the cockpit. I find it is actually harder to fly a good
approach in VMC than in IMC because of the division of your attention
between the panel and outside. By flying the approach, you stay sharp
on all aspects of doing an approach except actually being in IMC. You
also develop a better feel for where you are relative to the ground and
the airport this way.

3) Fly with an instructor and do an IPC every 6 months. Having an extra
set of eyes evaluate your performance gives you an opportunity to
correct bad habits before they become ingrained. It also shows the
insurance company that you are committed to doing regular recurrent
training, which may give you a break on your insurance, plus you'll get
an opportunity to practice stuff that doesn't come up in day to day
flying like holds, unusual attitudes and partial panel (all of which are
required parts of an IPC). If you are already reasonably proficient
(and you will be if you follow all 3 of these recommendations and fly
reasonably frequently), the IPC should take no more than an 2 hours of
instruction time...just enough time to do a few approaches, a hold and
unusual attitude.

[Andrew Sarangan]

On Jan 31, 7:01 pm, Ray Andraka > wrote:
> Kevin Clarke wrote:
> > Hi All,
>
> > Open question to folks, what strategies do you use to stay current or
> > better yet, proficient?
>
> > Check ride is right around the corner. I got signed off for the ride
> > today. So the currency question is in the back of my mind now. Most of
> > my flying is x-ctry (2/month) with some local scenic flights.
>
> > thanks,
> > KC
>
> Several things:
> 1) file and fly in the system every time you go cross country, even if
> the weather is severe clear VMC. Staying in the system keeps you
> practiced with the procedures and keeps you sharp on maintaining
> altitude and heading, as well as with the radios.

Great advice. Filing IFR in even under VMC will pay off. Not only does
it polish up your ATC skills, it will also simplifly your navigation
through busy complex airspaces. Example: every time I go to Detroit, I
get "cleared as filed" but I know from experience that Toledo always
amends my clearance as I get closer. Having done it plenty of times
under VFR, it was really not a big under IMC. That is not the type of
thing you want to handle on your first time in IMC in a busy airspace.


>
> 2) Always fly the instrument approach when you arrive at your
> destination, regardless of the weather (since you're IFR, your request
> for an instrument approach into your destination can't be turned down as
> long as it is for the approach officially in use). Just don't bury your
> head in the cockpit. I find it is actually harder to fly a good
> approach in VMC than in IMC because of the division of your attention
> between the panel and outside. By flying the approach, you stay sharp
> on all aspects of doing an approach except actually being in IMC. You
> also develop a better feel for where you are relative to the ground and
> the airport this way.

Again, good advice, but don't assume ATC will automatically issue you
an instrument approach because you are IFR. If it is VMC, they will
assume you want a visual approach unless you ask for it.


>
> 3) Fly with an instructor and do an IPC every 6 months. Having an extra
> set of eyes evaluate your performance gives you an opportunity to
> correct bad habits before they become ingrained. It also shows the
> insurance company that you are committed to doing regular recurrent
> training, which may give you a break on your insurance, plus you'll get
> an opportunity to practice stuff that doesn't come up in day to day
> flying like holds, unusual attitudes and partial panel (all of which are
> required parts of an IPC). If you are already reasonably proficient
> (and you will be if you follow all 3 of these recommendations and fly
> reasonably frequently), the IPC should take no more than an 2 hours of
> instruction time...just enough time to do a few approaches, a hold and
> unusual attitude.

Good advice again, but I am not sure how the insurance company finds
out about your IPC. I was never asked about IPC, just whether I am
current or not.

[Jim Macklin]

Ask your insurance agent about discounts for regular
recurrent training [not just an IPC] at a school such as
caters to corporate operators. They can and do offer
discounts for regular training.



"Andrew Sarangan" > wrote in message
ups.com...
| On Jan 31, 7:01 pm, Ray Andraka > wrote:
| > Kevin Clarke wrote:
| > > Hi All,
| >
| > > Open question to folks, what strategies do you use to
stay current or
| > > better yet, proficient?
| >
| > > Check ride is right around the corner. I got signed
off for the ride
| > > today. So the currency question is in the back of my
mind now. Most of
| > > my flying is x-ctry (2/month) with some local scenic
flights.
| >
| > > thanks,
| > > KC
| >
| > Several things:
| > 1) file and fly in the system every time you go cross
country, even if
| > the weather is severe clear VMC. Staying in the system
keeps you
| > practiced with the procedures and keeps you sharp on
maintaining
| > altitude and heading, as well as with the radios.
|
| Great advice. Filing IFR in even under VMC will pay off.
Not only does
| it polish up your ATC skills, it will also simplifly your
navigation
| through busy complex airspaces. Example: every time I go
to Detroit, I
| get "cleared as filed" but I know from experience that
Toledo always
| amends my clearance as I get closer. Having done it plenty
of times
| under VFR, it was really not a big under IMC. That is not
the type of
| thing you want to handle on your first time in IMC in a
busy airspace.
|
|
| >
| > 2) Always fly the instrument approach when you arrive at
your
| > destination, regardless of the weather (since you're
IFR, your request
| > for an instrument approach into your destination can't
be turned down as
| > long as it is for the approach officially in use). Just
don't bury your
| > head in the cockpit. I find it is actually harder to
fly a good
| > approach in VMC than in IMC because of the division of
your attention
| > between the panel and outside. By flying the approach,
you stay sharp
| > on all aspects of doing an approach except actually
being in IMC. You
| > also develop a better feel for where you are relative to
the ground and
| > the airport this way.
|
| Again, good advice, but don't assume ATC will
automatically issue you
| an instrument approach because you are IFR. If it is VMC,
they will
| assume you want a visual approach unless you ask for it.
|
|
| >
| > 3) Fly with an instructor and do an IPC every 6 months.
Having an extra
| > set of eyes evaluate your performance gives you an
opportunity to
| > correct bad habits before they become ingrained. It
also shows the
| > insurance company that you are committed to doing
regular recurrent
| > training, which may give you a break on your insurance,
plus you'll get
| > an opportunity to practice stuff that doesn't come up in
day to day
| > flying like holds, unusual attitudes and partial panel
(all of which are
| > required parts of an IPC). If you are already
reasonably proficient
| > (and you will be if you follow all 3 of these
recommendations and fly
| > reasonably frequently), the IPC should take no more than
an 2 hours of
| > instruction time...just enough time to do a few
approaches, a hold and
| > unusual attitude.
|
| Good advice again, but I am not sure how the insurance
company finds
| out about your IPC. I was never asked about IPC, just
whether I am
| current or not.
|
|

[Peter Clark]

Or require it as a condition of the policy in certain types like the
PA46.

On Sun, 11 Feb 2007 14:28:55 -0600, "Jim Macklin"
> wrote:

>Ask your insurance agent about discounts for regular
>recurrent training [not just an IPC] at a school such as
>caters to corporate operators. They can and do offer
>discounts for regular training.

[Stan Prevost]

"Ray Andraka" > wrote in message
...
>
> Several things:
> 1) file and fly in the system every time you go cross country, even if the
> weather is severe clear VMC. Staying in the system keeps you practiced
> with the procedures and keeps you sharp on maintaining altitude and
> heading, as well as with the radios.
>

User fees will change how much of that gets done.

[Ray Andraka]

>
>>2) Always fly the instrument approach when you arrive at your
>>destination, regardless of the weather (since you're IFR, your request
>>for an instrument approach into your destination can't be turned down as
>>long as it is for the approach officially in use). Just don't bury your
>>head in the cockpit. I find it is actually harder to fly a good
>>approach in VMC than in IMC because of the division of your attention
>>between the panel and outside. By flying the approach, you stay sharp
>>on all aspects of doing an approach except actually being in IMC. You
>>also develop a better feel for where you are relative to the ground and
>>the airport this way.
>
>
> Again, good advice, but don't assume ATC will automatically issue you
> an instrument approach because you are IFR. If it is VMC, they will
> assume you want a visual approach unless you ask for it.

Correct, you will often have to ask for it. They can't turn you down
for an instrument approach (but they might put you in a hold or on
vectors to scorched scrotum and back if it disrupts their plans)

>
>
>
>>3) Fly with an instructor and do an IPC every 6 months. Having an extra
>>set of eyes evaluate your performance gives you an opportunity to
>>correct bad habits before they become ingrained. It also shows the
>>insurance company that you are committed to doing regular recurrent
>>training, which may give you a break on your insurance, plus you'll get
>>an opportunity to practice stuff that doesn't come up in day to day
>>flying like holds, unusual attitudes and partial panel (all of which are
>>required parts of an IPC). If you are already reasonably proficient
>>(and you will be if you follow all 3 of these recommendations and fly
>>reasonably frequently), the IPC should take no more than an 2 hours of
>>instruction time...just enough time to do a few approaches, a hold and
>>unusual attitude.
>
>
> Good advice again, but I am not sure how the insurance company finds
> out about your IPC. I was never asked about IPC, just whether I am
> current or not.
>
>
That's easy, I tell them. One time, the insurance company had asked me
aobut recurrent training and I sent a list of all the instructional
flights I had done. They responded with a request to send along any
additional recurrent training as I did it.