Originally Posted by
Genghis the Engineer
Scoobster - I think that you are asking the wrong question of us, and of yourself.
Being legal does not make you safe. It is incredibly unlikely that anybody will ever make an issue of whether you were in legal VMC or not.
What is safe for you, in your aeroplane, at your experience levels, on the route you're flying? Most cases, most of the time, that will be above legal VMC minima for as long as you remain a VFR pilot.
People will criticise you for going below safe limits for the circumstances. In the highly unlikely event you hit conditions that are safe, but technically illegal - odds are nobody will criticise you for that.
Think safety, not legality. Safety is defined by:-
- Flying time en-route that you can see ahead of you
- Time you have to identify potential threats from other directions.
- Ability to navigate competently.
Not the crude, albeit necessary, legal minima for VFR.
G
G,
I agree 100% with the above and appreciate all the responses. As my flying experience is growing - I am finding that I am going further and further out distance wise to new locations and I love flying there - albeit even if it is expensive!
Touch wood, I haven't so far had any sort of near miss or accident and I always want to exercise the privileges of the license safely and legally. I would be distraught if my license gets taken away for being unsafe - not that I have any intentions to be reckless.
I have been into Elstree which is roughly 650m - so will try and go into more shorter strips to perfect the Short Field Take Off and Performance Landings.
Thanks all - I have found all the responses informative and useful.
Stay safe
Scoobster