I've done a few single-pilot IMC flights (mostly flying 50-100 miles IMC to
get in the clear) shortly after earning my rating. While I don't have any problem
with normal operations in the soup, it's the unknowns of potentential task saturation
that I'm mostly concerned with. I'm hoping to get some good solid IMC practice with
another IR pilot before I head out on another 2.5hour IMC on a 4 hour x-c with a 600',
2mi LOC/DME at the end. It's all about building confidence, and having someone to
hold the plane for a minute while you collect your charts/plates/frequencies/weather
briefing/wits would be a nice safety-net to task saturation. I believe most people
call them "auto-pilots," but my plane is not so equipped...

-Cory

Dan Luke wrote:

: "Wizard of Draws" wrote:
: I think it will be a lot more hours before I attempt any single pilot IFR.

: [sings] "Ain't nothin' like the real thing, baby!"

: The first time you take off by yourself and plow into a low overcast while
: turning is a real sphincter tightener. That experience will make you
: understand how close to death you *really* are - in a way no CFII can quite
: get across.

: I wish I could tell you that you will be able to train to the point where
: your first solo experiences will be "no sweat," but I just don't think so.
: Yes, you are right to ease into it. Practice in IMC with an instructor
: every chance you get; that will help, but the time is going to come when you
: are going to have to just do it. From reading your posts, I suspect you
: will do fine.
: --
: Dan
: C-172RG at BFM



--

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* Cory Papenfuss *
* Electrical Engineering candidate Ph.D. graduate student *
* Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University *
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