Thanks Flyingforfun, an interesting reply.
Rustle said:
The poster starting this thread seems to be an exception in that he seems to have got himself an IR without ever having done any real IFR flying
Too true Rustle, looking back at my logbook reveals an astonishing 10, yes juts ten IFR flights before taking and passing my multi engine IR. There were a few flights just doing approaches and the rest was in a sim. But I basically have no experience of real IFR flying, and even less of planning routes since it was all laid out on a plate (excuse the pun). I know several people who did their IRs at other schools and are in the same position as me.
Frankly I am in awe of people who can jump in a plane and fly long distance IFR 'off the cuff'.
While I have little sympathy for an fATPL or IR holder and/or flying instructor who doesn't know the "rules" about, or procedures for, descending through cloud
Its not that I don't know the rules, its that I was not tested or trained and have never had to descend through cloud in uncontrolled airspace. The only time I have descended through cloud has been on ILS and NDB approaches at familiar training airports with a zillion hours instuctor or examiner by my side.
I'm not looking for sympathy, I'm looking for advice, and I think quoting my profile shouldn't have any bearing on this. Just because I instruct doesn't mean I have to be a super proficient walking-IFR-rule-book-pilot. Bear in mind, I have only done 11 IFR flights the last of which was nearly a year ago.