IFR just 5.4% of the time

Jay Honeck wrote:

Yes, but you might not hear what it's telling you. I have very little
actual in my book, but part of that is that She Who Must Be Obeyed (who
is actually a real good sport about flying) doesn't particularly like
IMC, and would much prefer waiting a day to go CAVU.

SO, we go CAVU.


This brings up a whole 'nother aspect of this discussion, which quite
simply asks: Who *wants* to fly IFR?

Me!

Flying IFR is almost always uncomfortable. Even when it's smooth, it's
absolutely no fun for the passengers, whose only real reward for
putting up with GA is the view. (Well, and the time savings over
driving, of course.)

I love to fly IFR, but I agree that it is less than exciting for most
passengers. However, most of my IMC flights were solo.


Most of the instrument rated pilots I know try to avoid flying IFR as
much as I do, only using the rating when necessary to pop up (or down)
through unavoidable IMC. This, of course, leads to a lack of
proficiency, and the unavoidable fact that they really aren't prepared
for flying in hard IMC.

I look for IMC days to go flying. I find it very peaceful in my little
cocoon croning through the clouds watching the gauges and needles.


This is exactly what Mary and will use the rating for -- a safety
outlet -- and is one major reason why we fear that we might just end
up just dangerous enough to kill someone.

To me it adds another dimension to flying and another reason to fly.
After 15 years of VFR flying I was actually growing bored of the
hamburger runs over territory I'd flown several times before. I've
visited almost every airport within 200 NM of my house, many several
times for poker runs and such with our flying club. IFR added an entire
new reason and challenge to my flying.

Matt

Matt Whiting writes:

I look for IMC days to go flying. I find it very peaceful in my little
cocoon croning through the clouds watching the gauges and needles.

Ah, so there is finally someone who sees the attraction to IFR!

--
Transpose mxsmanic and gmail to reach me by e-mail.

I look for IMC days to go flying. I find it very peaceful in my little
cocoon croning through the clouds watching the gauges and needles.

Ah, so there is finally someone who sees the attraction to IFR!

Not me.

IFR flying is diametrically opposed to my reasons for wanting to fly.
The only reason I will ever do it is because I must.

Which explains, in a nutshell, why I haven't "made time" to finish the
rating. It's just not something I'm interested in doing.
--
Jay Honeck
Iowa City, IA
Pathfinder N56993
www.AlexisParkInn.com
"Your Aviation Destination"

Jay Honeck writes:

Not me.

Well, different people get different things out of aviation, of course.

IFR flying is diametrically opposed to my reasons for wanting to fly.
The only reason I will ever do it is because I must.

But there are also people who apparently enjoy IFR flight.

--
Transpose mxsmanic and gmail to reach me by e-mail.

"Mxsmanic" wrote

But there are also people who apparently enjoy IFR flight.

Yeah, it's great until you have to go 50 miles or more out of your way.

BDS

"Jay Honeck" wrote:

This brings up a whole 'nother aspect of this discussion, which quite
simply asks: Who *wants* to fly IFR?

I do!

Flying IFR is almost always uncomfortable. Even when it's smooth, it's
absolutely no fun for the passengers, whose only real reward for
putting up with GA is the view. (Well, and the time savings over
driving, of course.)

In eight years of flying IFR, I can recall very few occasions of extended,
solid IMC. There have been many spectacular cloudscapes that I and my
passengers would never have seen VFR, though.

This is exactly what Mary and will use the rating for -- a safety
outlet -- and is one major reason why we fear that we might just end
up just dangerous enough to kill someone.

A reasonable concern. Maintaining real proficiency requires some dedication.
You have to force yourself to go flying--oh, the sacrifice!

--
Dan
C172RG at BFM

Dan Luke wrote:
"Jay Honeck" wrote:

This brings up a whole 'nother aspect of this discussion, which quite
simply asks: Who *wants* to fly IFR?


I do!


Flying IFR is almost always uncomfortable. Even when it's smooth, it's
absolutely no fun for the passengers, whose only real reward for
putting up with GA is the view. (Well, and the time savings over
driving, of course.)


In eight years of flying IFR, I can recall very few occasions of extended,
solid IMC. There have been many spectacular cloudscapes that I and my
passengers would never have seen VFR, though.

I agree. I've seen some amazing "cloudscapes" over the years. Probably
the neatest was on top at night under a full moon. Priceless!


This is exactly what Mary and will use the rating for -- a safety
outlet -- and is one major reason why we fear that we might just end
up just dangerous enough to kill someone.


A reasonable concern. Maintaining real proficiency requires some dedication.
You have to force yourself to go flying--oh, the sacrifice!

Yes, oh the agony of having another excuse to fly... :-)

Matt

On Thu, 01 Mar 2007 19:11:03 -0800, Jay Honeck wrote:

This brings up a whole 'nother aspect of this discussion, which quite
simply asks: Who *wants* to fly IFR?

Being cotton-balled is dull for passengers, as much as I might enjoy it.
But flying between layers, in and out, or amongst the clouds is fun for
her (and for my 4-y-old son).

Cloudscapes offer some incredible views.

- Andrew