IFR rating?

I'm debating whether to try for my IFR rating in the spring. I won't
have the time or money to start till then, but that's not the point.

The big question is, is it worth it right now? The only flying I
really do is cruising around, mild aerobatics, some formation stuff,
and occasionally a trip to the neighboring states. An IFR ticket
would be a "nice to have" but I don't think I'd really be able to make
use of it--our plane isn't IFR equipped, and probably won't be for the
forseeable future.

Any suggestions?

Bob Martin wrote:

Any suggestions?

My 2c. If you have the time and money to get the rating now and even suspect that you
will be able to use it in future, get it now. I procrastinated and found that later,
my job didn't leave me the time. There were quite a few trips made by car as a result
of that and one or two flights that were more nerve-racking than they would have been
with an IFR rating.

George Patterson
If you don't tell lies, you never have to remember what you said.

A question, if I may...

Bob Martin stated: "I don't think I'd really be able to make
use of it--our plane isn't IFR equipped, and probably won't be for the
foreseeable future."

While he didn't directly indicate if he flew a plane he owned, a club plane,
or something similar, I gathered there was some sort of "ownership"
involved.

Assuming this is the only airplane he regularly flies, and that it is not
IFR equipped, would he not have a problem maintaining currency?

While your advice makes sense under most circumstances, given this
particular situation might he not be better off waiting until he has the
need or his airplane is upgraded?




"G.R. Patterson III" wrote in message
...


Bob Martin wrote:

Any suggestions?

My 2c. If you have the time and money to get the rating now and even
suspect that you
will be able to use it in future, get it now. I procrastinated and found
that later,
my job didn't leave me the time. There were quite a few trips made by car
as a result
of that and one or two flights that were more nerve-racking than they
would have been
with an IFR rating.

George Patterson
If you don't tell lies, you never have to remember what you said.

"Bill Denton" wrote in message ...
A question, if I may...

Bob Martin stated: "I don't think I'd really be able to make
use of it--our plane isn't IFR equipped, and probably won't be for the
foreseeable future."

While he didn't directly indicate if he flew a plane he owned, a club plane,
or something similar, I gathered there was some sort of "ownership"
involved.

Yes... it's my dad's plane; an RV-6 whose only additional instruments
beyond minimum for VFR are a turn indicator, nav radio (built-in VOR
display; actually part of a nav/com radio), g-meter, and Garmin 196.
There's just an empty hole where the AI goes. I usually fly every 2-3
weeks (when I'm home for a weekend) or when I get longer stretches
(like this summer; I'll be commuting to school instead of living on
campus).

Also, when I said "try" for it, I meant that I didn't know if I'd be
able to get it in four months (ie, over spring semester). I can't
start earlier or go later since I'd have to go back down to Savannah
for work, and I definately can't afford it there. My private took me
about a year (though only 42 hours) between weather, work, school,
9/11, and money. And the only reason I'm considering it now is that
the flying club at Georgia Tech is much cheaper than any FBO or school
I've seen, both for aircraft rental and for instructor time.
Something like $60 for a 172, or $78 for a 172RG. "Advanced
instruction" is $23.

It's worth remembering that in order for an Instrument Rating to be used, you
need to meet recent experience requirements. It's not like riding a bicycle,
where once learned, it's automatic.

Unless you're going to file IFR and fly in the clouds, I strongly suggest you
invest in hood time so you can get out of trouble should you find yourself in
IFR conditions. I think, unless you are flying 150 hours a year or so, you'd
likely not be current.

Having said that, I can tell you that SEL flying, especially at night, under
IFR is a heck of a lot easier than VFR, regardless of condtions. I mean, think
of this, coming into your tower controlled home base, being cleared for an ILS
approach which probably means, unless it's a dreaded 'circle to land' a
straight in from 5 or 6 miles.

That was the point of my rambling anecdote...get some serious instrument
training, whether or not you intend to go on to the rating. The hood time
for the private really doesn't prepare a pilot for the situations s/he is
likely to encounter.

Bob Gardner

"tony" wrote in message
...
It's worth remembering that in order for an Instrument Rating to be used,
you
need to meet recent experience requirements. It's not like riding a
bicycle,
where once learned, it's automatic.

Unless you're going to file IFR and fly in the clouds, I strongly suggest
you
invest in hood time so you can get out of trouble should you find yourself
in
IFR conditions. I think, unless you are flying 150 hours a year or so,
you'd
likely not be current.

Having said that, I can tell you that SEL flying, especially at night,
under
IFR is a heck of a lot easier than VFR, regardless of condtions. I mean,
think
of this, coming into your tower controlled home base, being cleared for an
ILS
approach which probably means, unless it's a dreaded 'circle to land' a
straight in from 5 or 6 miles.

Bill Denton wrote:

Assuming this is the only airplane he regularly flies, and that it is not
IFR equipped, would he not have a problem maintaining currency?

Absolutely - in fact, I'd say it would be darn near impossible to stay current. But
it will be a lot easier to regain currency at a later time than to get the rating at
a later time.

George Patterson
If you don't tell lies, you never have to remember what you said.

"G.R. Patterson III" wrote in message

My 2c. If you have the time and money to get the rating now and even
suspect that you
will be able to use it in future, get it now. I procrastinated and found
that later,
my job didn't leave me the time.

I started IFR this spring after having my PP/SEL for about ten years. The
most rewarding and interesting flying I've done yet. Even if I didn't
finish the rating (which I will), the things I've learned in the last month
have made me vastly more comfortable in the cockpit. Sure makes VFR seem
easy!

-c

I started IFR this spring after having my PP/SEL for about ten years. The
most rewarding and interesting flying I've done yet. Even if I didn't
finish the rating (which I will), the things I've learned in the last
month
have made me vastly more comfortable in the cockpit. Sure makes VFR seem
easy!

Agreed, it's good training. VFR flying becomes soooo much easier after 20
hours or so under the hood.

That said, I have not finished up my IR, even though I've got all the flying
requirements and was signed off to take the flight test. (I haven't taken
the written, yet.)

Why? Because (a) I simply don't have time right now to study, and (b) I
don't believe that I would use the rating enough to stay proficient enough
to be safe.

I've flown for almost 10 years, and almost 900 hours, VFR. Throw in another
500 hours with Mary as PIC during that period. There have been some times
when I wished I had the rating, but -- more often than not -- when I've been
grounded due to weather, an IFR rating wouldn't have helped. My plane is
simply not capable of handling ice, snow or thunderstorms -- and that covers
95% of the times I've been on the ground, cursing the weather gods...
--
Jay Honeck
Iowa City, IA
Pathfinder N56993
www.AlexisParkInn.com
"Your Aviation Destination"

Jay,

A little advice...If you aren't going to get an instrument rating, don't
curse the weather gods. You are just asking for trouble.

Mike
MU-2


"Jay Honeck" wrote in message
news:L6Bjc.54148$_L6.4226739@attbi_s53...
I've flown for almost 10 years, and almost 900 hours, VFR. Throw in
another
500 hours with Mary as PIC during that period. There have been some times
when I wished I had the rating, but -- more often than not -- when I've
been
grounded due to weather, an IFR rating wouldn't have helped. My plane is
simply not capable of handling ice, snow or thunderstorms -- and that
covers
95% of the times I've been on the ground, cursing the weather gods...
--
Jay Honeck
Iowa City, IA
Pathfinder N56993
www.AlexisParkInn.com
"Your Aviation Destination"