Tony wrote:

Many of us who are rated for instrument flight are likely to tell you
real life flying under instrument flight rules is easier than VFRr.
This is especially true in controlled airspace during the approach and
landing phases of flight in congested airspace. In my view, if the
conditions are soft IFR so that the VFR guys are on the ground, very
much easier.

I fly SEL with no co pilot in a Mooney 201 and find the workload very
manageable. It's worth mentioning when I lived in New England about a
quarter of my time was spent in IMC, and after hunderds of hours in the
clouds and on the gauges, so flying by reference to instruments feels
quite natural. Lower time pilots may feel differently.

I agree. I file IFR for virtually every flight these days. One, it is
easier in many cases than VFR. Opening and closing VFR flight plans
requires talking to someone else ... twice. I usually request flight
following when VFR, but sometimes I'm not able to get it in the
northeast. Two, filing all of the time keeps me proficient in copying
clearances and generally using the system.


Matt