I think you pointed out the biggest factor limiting most of us getting over
the adrenaline experience during low IMC approaches - the infrequent
occurrence. It's hard to get comfortable with anything that we don't
frequently repeat. I've talked to many pilots who feel that calm day VFR
can be more difficult than usual after they have been absent from flying for
more than a few weeks.

Good job on getting the instructor and making maximum use of a challenging
flying day!

JimC
WT0J (don't often include that - but it has meaning to you)
N2233W

"W9MV" wrote in message
...
It's been just about a year since I had gotten my IFR ticket, and have
over 250
hours since, about 25 hours in actual.

But, my personal minimums have been 1000 ft and 3 miles.

Today (Knoxville, TN) we had perfect conditions to safely fly in the soup.
(NO
ICE) I got my instructor on board and we flew three approaches, NDB, GPS,
ILS.
During the NDB and GPS approaches we never saw the ground, but the
additional
400 feet of the ILS approach, we completed the approach to a nice touch
down.

We broke out at about 300 feet above the ground.

What an absolute excellent experience. Major difference? Having the
instructor
as a safety pilot eliminated any lack of confidence from entering into the
flight.

All three approaches, if you indulge me in a little boasting, where close
to
perfect. I know for a fact however, if I was flying these solo, my left
leg
would be shaking uncontrollably due to the addrenaline.

But with a safety pilot (CFII) to my right, my confidence was high, and my
flying, radio work, and navigation went really well.

Anyway, I just had to post, this was such a wonderful training experience.

Question, does that leg ever stop shaking?

Mark