Diary of an IMC student at CATS Flight
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It does decrease your minmas, and you need to learn SIDs and STARs because if you're flying at complete minimas where 100'-200' mean you're in cloud or out, the holding and approach procedures are usually carried out higher than this and you need to be able to go through the procedures in able to use glidesope etc. All done to keep you safe and not interfere with other IFR traffic as I understand 
My intention for the IMC was to use it as a step up into the IR but if you fly regularly, I can see how it could be very beneficial - we all know how quickly that cloud can come in and in those cases 'VMC on top' is fine but how would you get back down through it safely?!
My intention for the IMC was to use it as a step up into the IR but if you fly regularly, I can see how it could be very beneficial - we all know how quickly that cloud can come in and in those cases 'VMC on top' is fine but how would you get back down through it safely?!
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Let me put my five pennys worth in and say well done kangy sounds like a good fun time was had by all and now your a better pilot for doing it many congrats. It was worth your while putting it on . I intend to do an IMC in the next few months in the same vein as you , the end product eventually being an IR . I personally only think this can help and IMHO is better than another fifteen hours bimbling for a/f to a/f . I enjoyed reading of your experiences and only hope I am up to the task . If im no then there goes the IR airline dream
Well done again
Well done again
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Good luck with that maxdry! Just remember, every now n then it'll seem really hard, but stick in some hard work & do some homework the night before! One thing I found really useful was a PC program called RANT (Radio Aids Navigational Tutor), you'll need your instructor next to you when you use it, but it makes everything much much clearer and easier to understand!
Also added on to my last post, I've just been checking up on my facts.....
An IMC rating extends the privileges of a PPL(A) holder to allow flight as pilot-in-command
- Out of sight of the surface
- In a control zone with a flight visibility of 3km or more under a special VFR clearance
- When in IMC outside controlled airspace
- During take off or landing with a flight visibility of 1800m or more
I've just also been made aware that Cranfield has a 'contrived SID/STAR'
What this means is that it has a SID/STAR which has been made up by the aerodrome, purely for training purposes - its not an official SID/STAR.
It was very helpful to be exposed to SID's/STAR's, albeit a contrived one, as Im sure it will come in very handy knowing how to read and understand these plates in the IR!
Also added on to my last post, I've just been checking up on my facts.....
An IMC rating extends the privileges of a PPL(A) holder to allow flight as pilot-in-command
- Out of sight of the surface
- In a control zone with a flight visibility of 3km or more under a special VFR clearance
- When in IMC outside controlled airspace
- During take off or landing with a flight visibility of 1800m or more
I've just also been made aware that Cranfield has a 'contrived SID/STAR'
What this means is that it has a SID/STAR which has been made up by the aerodrome, purely for training purposes - its not an official SID/STAR.
It was very helpful to be exposed to SID's/STAR's, albeit a contrived one, as Im sure it will come in very handy knowing how to read and understand these plates in the IR!
Last edited by kangy; 15th Jun 2007 at 17:07. Reason: edited for typo's
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Thanks Kangy, makes it a little clearer.
The only negative side I can see to it is cost. It adds at least a couple of grand to your hour building. Not much in the grand scheme of things but the last thing you need to be doing is adding cost to your training which is not required.
Perhaps new question; IMC rating - value for money?
EK
The only negative side I can see to it is cost. It adds at least a couple of grand to your hour building. Not much in the grand scheme of things but the last thing you need to be doing is adding cost to your training which is not required.
Perhaps new question; IMC rating - value for money?
EK
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Thats got me thinking EK...
My initial response would be 'yes definately value for money!'
Of course then I decided to actually work out how much difference in money there actually is (£2000 seemed a bit steep!) and here's the results!
I initially did 5hrs in a C150, then all the rest in a C172 - wise words from my instructor "if you can fly the levels, keep your headings and do the procedures in a C152, you'll have no trouble at all in a C172" (yup, he was totally right by the way
)
Approx cost of IMC in the UK £2000
Approx cost of 15hrs C172 in UK £1500
Approx cost of 15hrs C172 in US £1200
(remember you will need to add accomodation & flights etc to this!)
After accomodation and everything you end up paying for out in the US, I cant really see there being much more than £500 difference between doing an IMC in the UK compared with just building 15hrs in the US.
I think I just proved it to myself how much of a good deal the IMC was - if it saves you 2hrs in a twin on your IR, its already paid for itself!!!
Thanks for that gentle nudge to do my finances EK!
My initial response would be 'yes definately value for money!'
Of course then I decided to actually work out how much difference in money there actually is (£2000 seemed a bit steep!) and here's the results!
I initially did 5hrs in a C150, then all the rest in a C172 - wise words from my instructor "if you can fly the levels, keep your headings and do the procedures in a C152, you'll have no trouble at all in a C172" (yup, he was totally right by the way
)Approx cost of IMC in the UK £2000
Approx cost of 15hrs C172 in UK £1500
Approx cost of 15hrs C172 in US £1200
(remember you will need to add accomodation & flights etc to this!)
After accomodation and everything you end up paying for out in the US, I cant really see there being much more than £500 difference between doing an IMC in the UK compared with just building 15hrs in the US.
I think I just proved it to myself how much of a good deal the IMC was - if it saves you 2hrs in a twin on your IR, its already paid for itself!!!
Thanks for that gentle nudge to do my finances EK!
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My finances work out like this:
Cost of IMC rating: £2200 (varies from 2000 to 2400).
I fly an Archer III for £65 per hour. 15 hours: £975
This gives a difference of £1225.
Now factor in A/C hire for test (£200 ish), test fee (£150 ish) and issue fee (£150 ish). By the time you have the rating in your brown book, I'd be talking more than £1700 extra for the rating.
However, you rightly point out that there could be hours of saving on the IR as a result.
I reckon that, best case scenario, it would cost me over a grand. More likely closer to two.
This seems like a drop in the ocean for flying, but it is actually a significant amount of money.
I'll see what's in the bank come 120 hours of logged time.
EK
Cost of IMC rating: £2200 (varies from 2000 to 2400).
I fly an Archer III for £65 per hour. 15 hours: £975
This gives a difference of £1225.
Now factor in A/C hire for test (£200 ish), test fee (£150 ish) and issue fee (£150 ish). By the time you have the rating in your brown book, I'd be talking more than £1700 extra for the rating.
However, you rightly point out that there could be hours of saving on the IR as a result.
I reckon that, best case scenario, it would cost me over a grand. More likely closer to two.
This seems like a drop in the ocean for flying, but it is actually a significant amount of money.
I'll see what's in the bank come 120 hours of logged time.
EK
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Blimey!
The Archer you rent is cheap!
Admittedly I didnt factor issue and test fee's as you'd need to pay these wherever in the world you are - no getting away from CAA test fees
but rightly pointed out, if you didnt do the IMC, you wouldn't need to pay the fees!
I did manage to do the IMC in minimum hours.... I was ready for test after 13hrs luckily but obviously still needed the minimum 15.
If you are going the commercial route, as you need to have 150 hrs in your logbook before you start the CPL so theres a fair few hours to be built, for me the difference was about £600 (including CAA fees etc)
I had a look through the pages of Flyer & Pilot magazines and compared a few pircies....
One of the cheapest I found in the UK was for £1875 - includes fuel, VAT, written exams, test fee and landing fees at cranfield!
Another option would be to do it in the US - Ormond Beach do it for £1295
Heres hoping you dont spend too much on beer up to 120 hours EK, I'm sure you'd enjoy it!
The Archer you rent is cheap!
Admittedly I didnt factor issue and test fee's as you'd need to pay these wherever in the world you are - no getting away from CAA test fees
but rightly pointed out, if you didnt do the IMC, you wouldn't need to pay the fees!I did manage to do the IMC in minimum hours.... I was ready for test after 13hrs luckily but obviously still needed the minimum 15.
If you are going the commercial route, as you need to have 150 hrs in your logbook before you start the CPL so theres a fair few hours to be built, for me the difference was about £600 (including CAA fees etc)
I had a look through the pages of Flyer & Pilot magazines and compared a few pircies....
One of the cheapest I found in the UK was for £1875 - includes fuel, VAT, written exams, test fee and landing fees at cranfield!
Another option would be to do it in the US - Ormond Beach do it for £1295
Heres hoping you dont spend too much on beer up to 120 hours EK, I'm sure you'd enjoy it!
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Kangy did you use a text book for the exam if so which one and was it a good choice. My Cessna 172 G1000 is 65 per hour too and its brand new , I pay 110 per month and 65 per hour wet . Great
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Used the IMC confuser, and also 'Keynotes' - exams pretty straight forward ulike the ATPL's!
65ph wet? I might have to pop along to where you are Maxdry!
65ph wet? I might have to pop along to where you are Maxdry!
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Elstree
Hi Kangy,
I noticed you're in London. I'm in a group which runs a PA28-180 Cherokee based in Elstree. We're currently looking for more members.
Share price - £1150
Monthly Subs - £45
Hourly rate - £48, which may go up a little if the fuel prices keep on increasing.
Good availability.
If you or anyone else is interested PM me or have a look at the July issue of Pilot.
Enjoyed your diary.
RB
I noticed you're in London. I'm in a group which runs a PA28-180 Cherokee based in Elstree. We're currently looking for more members.
Share price - £1150
Monthly Subs - £45
Hourly rate - £48, which may go up a little if the fuel prices keep on increasing.
Good availability.
If you or anyone else is interested PM me or have a look at the July issue of Pilot.
Enjoyed your diary.
RB
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These Barton guys sound good kangy
Why don't we do an IFR flight up to Manchester as part of your hour building
Have a look at these G1000 Cessnas and visit the school
Try and get Stuart to come along too in case all hell breaks loose
TK
Why don't we do an IFR flight up to Manchester as part of your hour building
Have a look at these G1000 Cessnas and visit the school
Try and get Stuart to come along too in case all hell breaks loose
TK
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Yeh just to reiterate for 110 per month We get the use of a g1000 172 and a PA28-181 Archer for 65 per hour wet , and an analogue 172R which is 60 per hour. We also have use of an archer based at blackpool . we have an online booking thingy and its a brilliant set up
we now have a twin set up also at blackpool which has a seneca and a DA42 i think its 160 per month and 100 per hr for the DA42 the seneca a bit more
Great group
we now have a twin set up also at blackpool which has a seneca and a DA42 i think its 160 per month and 100 per hr for the DA42 the seneca a bit more
Great group
