TTA Cherokee Driver wrote:
I'd like to hear people's thoughts on having the hypothetical choice of
getting an IFR rating while continuing to rent, versus buying and
committing to being VFR-only for the forseeable future. I'm in North
Carolina, where the weather is VFR reasonably often but not so often
that it's a no-brainer like it would be in AZ or FL or some such place.


I would recommend getting yourself an instrument rating first... before
buying an airplane. An IFR capable airplane is not going to be cheap
but you need to know what your mission will inevitably be and what you
REALLY want in an IFR platform. The knowledge and experience in having
the rating with make you a more educated buyer of an airplane wherether
you realize it or not.

There is also something to be said for earning an instrument rating
while flying a number of differently equipped rental aircraft. During
my instrument training I flew pipers and Cessnas equipped with everything
from ancient KX-170's to Garmin 430's and everything in between. That
is good experience and helped me understand what is important to have
in a instrument platform.

Just my $.02