An IFR quandary
Join Date: Jul 2005
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So you have a FAA pilot certificate and want an instrument rating, or a CAA/EASA licence and want a IMCr/IR(R)? The latter you can get via a simple (at a cost) paperwork exercise if you have the former.
There's nothing wrong with having a phobia of flying into weather that you can't handle, and at least you're honest with your assessment of your current skill level. The technical aspects you would probably pick up with a bit of groundschool (just having someone explain it to you in a different way might help), and the flying aspect just involves flying accurately to a point where you still have spare mental capacity to do all the other stuff - something that takes practice and I'm sure you'll pick up eventually. If it's taking every ounce of your skill to only just fly accurately, then it just comes down to you needing practice, and the guidance of a good instructor to analyse if/where you're going wrong.
Think back to when you learned to fly... It was all taught in baby steps, and now you have a licence. Surely you didn't just teach yourself, and go it alone. Same thing goes with the instrument stuff. Even though it is essentially just "flying" in another form, it does need some thought and quality tuition to give yourself a fighting chance of learning and understanding it all.
I'd say rather than accept the "here's the deal, I essentially want an easy ride and to not have to put too much work into getting an instrument ticket yadda yadda..." philosophy just because you screwed up a few written test questions, be tough on yourself, find a good school/instructor and work hard to get your rating.
I failed my FAA instrument written first time round, but now I'm a CFII. Go figure. So don't give up, and don't accept anything less than that end result of being rated.
There's nothing wrong with having a phobia of flying into weather that you can't handle, and at least you're honest with your assessment of your current skill level. The technical aspects you would probably pick up with a bit of groundschool (just having someone explain it to you in a different way might help), and the flying aspect just involves flying accurately to a point where you still have spare mental capacity to do all the other stuff - something that takes practice and I'm sure you'll pick up eventually. If it's taking every ounce of your skill to only just fly accurately, then it just comes down to you needing practice, and the guidance of a good instructor to analyse if/where you're going wrong.
Think back to when you learned to fly... It was all taught in baby steps, and now you have a licence. Surely you didn't just teach yourself, and go it alone. Same thing goes with the instrument stuff. Even though it is essentially just "flying" in another form, it does need some thought and quality tuition to give yourself a fighting chance of learning and understanding it all.
I'd say rather than accept the "here's the deal, I essentially want an easy ride and to not have to put too much work into getting an instrument ticket yadda yadda..." philosophy just because you screwed up a few written test questions, be tough on yourself, find a good school/instructor and work hard to get your rating.
I failed my FAA instrument written first time round, but now I'm a CFII. Go figure. So don't give up, and don't accept anything less than that end result of being rated.
Join Date: Aug 2006
Location: Sth Bucks UK
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I concur. Do the IMC.
I also concur with Thing; I quite like flying on instruments, although my IMC is currently lapsed but soon to be re-instated.
I especially used to like the partial panel bit; one less instrument to worry about!
I also concur with Thing; I quite like flying on instruments, although my IMC is currently lapsed but soon to be re-instated.
I especially used to like the partial panel bit; one less instrument to worry about!
Join Date: Dec 2008
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Read up everything on Instrument Flying, watched videos etc prior to my MEIR and to be honest I didn't quite get what was being said. Then I did the course, the instructor explained it, we flew it and it all made sense!
Try it, let's face it, you have nothing to loose and lots to gain.
Sappakeno is spot on!
Try it, let's face it, you have nothing to loose and lots to gain.
Sappakeno is spot on!
Last edited by Ty-Fry-Typhoon; 14th Sep 2013 at 20:57.
Join Date: Jan 2006
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Kevin Rowell is indeed at Sherburn, and is a very good, patient guy. I have renewed my IMC with him several times. No one better in the north to do the IMC course with, though that said, he is always very busy with the Leeds University students there.
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An IFR quandary
Stic&RM, like you, I'm no longer current but I will get back into it again soon. When I was at the top of my game, I ALWAYS put in an IFR plan even with 8/8 of blue. ATC seem to give you preference and strangely enough, I flew many hours in the cruise IFR, but when you start your descent to your destination, it's amazing how frequently you break out and get visual well before you need to get to your sector entry.
Point is, only seldom have I had to fly the entire approach. Maybe not "seldom" but it's spooky how most of my IFR flights have concluded in VMC.
Point is, only seldom have I had to fly the entire approach. Maybe not "seldom" but it's spooky how most of my IFR flights have concluded in VMC.
