Instrument Rating

[1739T]

I don't know how many of you get the AVflash from AVWeb (AVflash@avweb.com) email newsletter but they have a weekly question. This week it asks readers thier opinion on the instrument rating.

I am alone on this one, I am perfectly happy flying VFR and so tired of hearing from other pilots that I am lower on the evelutionary ladder because I lack the rating. The standard, the instrument rating makes you a better pilot is wrong. Practice, not overestimating your ability and making good decisions make you a good pilot. I have flown with these very pilots and an instrument rating has not made them any better.

I know the argument that so many flights end disasterly when VFR pilots enter IMC. I have read the reports, most could have been avioded by flight planning or a 180 degree turn. I contend that a rusty IFR ticket or one without much actual IMC is vastly more dangerous than a VFR pilot that knows marginal VFR can change in a hurry and maybe the trip can wait a day.

Now I will back off a bit and say that flying by reference to instruments is very valuable tool in conditions that FSS often call VFR, ie haze. Remeber the saying your PPL is a liscense to learn. Each of us has different skill levels, one skill that can be developed without the actual rating is short term flight using nothing but instruments.

Yeah, yeah, yeah, I know about the test where the FAA took 20 VFR pilots and put them in IMC and the average was 22 seconds for them to turn the craft upside and make a smoking hole. I just don't by it.

[FlyinHeel]

I have had my PPL for almost 2 years now, and I am getting ready to start IFR ground school. I agree with you that practice and not ratings make better pilots.

[This message has been edited by FlyinHeel (edited 01-11-2001).]

[canasdad]

Hey, Guys
If I am reading you right, an Instrument Rating does not matter???? This is self delusional BS. How many hours do you have- 200 to 400? This is the most dangerous time in anyone's flying career.

Practice does help. But it unfortunately true about proficiency on instruments being a lifesaver. The active rating only proves you have had a minimum amount of recent practice. And the venerable 180 turn is only good if you execute it. This has proved difficult for a whole lot of dead pilots and passengers. Its mentally hard to do.(Also, it is sometimes too late if conditions turn to crap behind you). I flew for over 20 years in Alaska, and can only thank God that I did know how to drive the gauges, cause otherwise I would not be writing this!
Wake Up and Good Flying!
Karl

[1739T]

Karl,

I didn't say the ticket was worthless but it should not be considered the panacea. I still contend that a rusty instrument ticket is more dangerous than a vfr pilot who knows how to make good decsions and use the resources available to him/her.

BTW - I have about 500 hours in the past two years and I made it through the danger hours by never (almost never) pushing that safety envelope. And I'm just a check ride away from getting my instrument ticket, not so I can fly instruments but so I can go on to get my commercial and CFI.


Garry

[FlyinHeel]

Karl- I may be young, but I'm not an idiot. You must have read too deeply into my post at least. Why would I begin studying for my instrument license if I didn't think it was important??

[FlyinHeel]

Karl- I may be young, but I'm not an idiot. You must have read too deeply into my post at least. Why would I begin studying for my instrument license if I didn't think it was important??

[skid]

Like the old joke "that and 50 cents will buy you a cup of coffee", the rating will not turn an idiot into a competent pilot. But anything you learn adds to your knowledge base and that will ultimately make for a better vfr pilot.

[canasdad]

An Instrument License, like the PP is nothing more than a license to learn- without the expense (or added safety)of having an instructor along. If someone has EARNED it, it is a step forward. It is not a trophy. It only proves you have done the minimum to earn the right to fly without outside visual references with reasonable safety for youself and others flying under the same rules. Your actual competence is determined by continuing practice. And to some extent, if your elevator goes all the way to your top floor.

[This message has been edited by canasdad (edited 01-12-2001).]

[dustdevil]

I'm working on my IFR rating at present. Statistics show that you are most dangerous with the IFR rating before 50 hours time and then the incident rate decreases significantly after 50-100+ hours, that's a sobering thought for myself as I'm in that category of time. I think this holds true for a lot of things. The most accident prone drivers are the 16 year olds that just received there license. I wish it wasn't so but I think we can all remember having done foolish things just after getting our drivers license or even becoming a new PP, I can and I lived through it! Practice makes you a better pilot. Using knowledge, experience and wisdom before and during flying will help you to avoid those dangerous situations and to know your limits. I want my IFR rating so I will have a better understanding of all the aspects of flying to help me determine my decision points between safe and dangerous flying conditions for myself and my passengers. I'd like to add a commercial and ME if money and time permit. I already have commercial sailplane endorsement and used to have my CFI in sailplanes. Those seem unrelated to power aircraft but those endorsements have been FUN and have made me a better power aircraft pilot. I agree with Skid, anything that adds to your knowledge base will ultimately make you a better VFR pilot.
scott

[djschaut]

I've responded to this question previously. I must admit, I'm one of the 'gotta have it' crowd (instrument rating.)

After having flown hundreds of hours instrument and many in IMC, the experience is unmatched and opens up a dimension to flying that cannot be experienced without actually doing it.

After a successful instrument flight in IMC and a successful instrument approach, precision or not, the feeling when you get out of the plane is entirely different than that you get after a VFR flight.

Instrument flight doesn't improve basic flying skills--you need those before you start. Like driving a submarine--which a friend compared instrument flight to--it just adds a completely different dimension to the flying experience. I also still believe it makes a person a better VFR pilot.

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DJSchaut

[robinhood54]

I start my ten day PIC course tomorrow, i'm excited and also aprehensive, I passed my written a couple of weeks ago. I've been reading all the text books on symbols and approaches, I have mid 800 hrs. Live in the west and travel to east, ten times a year, so I feel I need an IFR ticket. I'll keep you updated on the process if your interested.

[dverespey]

Clue is in, I'm looking do go a ten day route myself and more data points are appreciated.

[djschaut]

Good luck to the 10 day PIC students. I did the same course some ten years ago and still have the certificate. I took slightly over 10 days though, to fit the training around work. But, I had to pay the guy the extra money to stick around for the extra four days.

He got me through the training and check ride and even helped argue some fine points with the examiner. I was still very nervous and I think I busted one approach and had to re-shoot it--can't really remember. Nevertheless, the training sticks with you.

For someone with 800 hours, now would be the perfect time for the instrument ticket. You'll know when your commercial pilot has intercepted the localizer, when you're in a holding pattern, and you'll begin to recognize STARS and SIDS in commercial flights.

djschaut

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DJSchaut

[Wire]

It's simple guys.
Get your instrument rating and shoot an approach at least once every two weeks.
My personal standard is one approach a week.
In addition, the more of this currency training performed at night the better!
Also, don't be afraid to ask a CFII to ride along on occassion in order to ensure that you do not pick up any bad habits.
If you approach the maintenance of your currency with a positive and constructive attitude (and utilize CRM with the CFII or safety pilot) you greatly improve the odds of your sucess.

[timd]

If anyone is going to use an airplane as anything other than an expensive toy you NEED an instrument rating. It's not magic and it's no panacea but it is the most useful rating you can have.