IFR Rated?

[mooneym20d]

Quote: DaV8or

This poll should have included a "Yes I am instument rated, but not current." option. Getting the IR was tough, but keeping current has proven even tougher. Now I'm so far behind, it's pretty much like starting all over again. Having the 430 doesn't really help much either. That thing is a user interface nightmare. Anybody know of a FAA approved simulator with a 430 in it in my area?

This is posted by the real Dav8or!

[omega708]

Quote: DaV8or

This poll should have included a "Yes I am instument rated, but not current." option. Getting the IR was tough, but keeping current has proven even tougher. Now I'm so far behind, it's pretty much like starting all over again. Having the 430 doesn't really help much either. That thing is a user interface nightmare. Anybody know of a FAA approved simulator with a 430 in it in my area?

This is posted by the real Dav8or!

[201er]

Quote: DaV8or

This poll should have included a "Yes I am instument rated, but not current." option. Getting the IR was tough, but keeping current has proven even tougher. Now I'm so far behind, it's pretty much like starting all over again. Having the 430 doesn't really help much either. That thing is a user interface nightmare. Anybody know of a FAA approved simulator with a 430 in it in my area?

This is posted by the real Dav8or!

[John Pleisse]

Quote: 201er

Why pay for a simulator when there are 2 free options that are much more convenient.

A) Download computer simulator from Garmin

Plug your airplane into external power on the ground and play with physical GPS

You're going to have to download and read the manual. It's longer than the manual for the entire plane, I know! As you read the manual, take notes about useful and new features you don't know, practice them on the simulator, read some more manual, then bring your notes with you and try these in the real plane in VFR flight (possibly with someone else flying) until you can remember and do this on your own.

[xftrplt]

Quote: mooneym20d

So it's an IR.  I'll be damned. And I had always thought the Navy used a fire hose.

[mooneym20d]

Quote: xftrplt

mooneym20d,

I think, you missed my point (which had nothing to do with an IR, but, rather, how to separate the men from the boys).

Clearly, if I had a day job, I shouldn't think of giving it up for writing humor.

[Seth]

I purchased my first Mooney in July 2008.  The intent was to start instrument training.  I ended up flying a lot of long VFR cross countries.  From Maryland to WV, NC, NJ, NY, OH, PA, and only got stuck due to weather twice.  I kicked my IFR training into high gear in late Spring/Early Summer 2009 and accomplished my IFR in about a month.  Once I did end up pushing a bad weather position on a trip toward the end of my IFR training and told myself I'd never do that again without completing my IFR training.

Passsed the checkride the day before a trip to Pittsburgh, and low and behold, my first instrument approach in the soup was into KPIT.  Popped out about 1000 feet AGL, and made a nice landing.  I almost always fly IFR when heading cross country except the eastern shore or lower PA as an SFRA VFR flight plan around the DC SFRA is sometimes easier than being routed around the DC Airspace.  Often I'll file both an SFRA VFR flight plan and an IFR flight plan.  I'll get outside the DC airspace and then activate the IFR for the long cross country.

It is without a doubt necessary for any distance utility use of your aircraft.

-Seth

[jwilkins]

Rated and manage to stay current.

I got my IR when I was based in Upstate NY near Lake Ontario. It was pretty much a requirement if I wanted to fly around New England and NY for business trips and not scud-run or sit for days. The first couple years after I had my IR I flew almost every non-hamburger trip IFR. VERY few trips involved approachs anywhere near minimums. It was mostly getting through layers to get to cruise in VMC, then back down through the clouds and break out at 600 to 1000 AGL

Now I'm in AZ. Although last month I had to fly an approach into Prescott most of the AZ weather is VMC (often bumpy but VMC). CA is my most frequent trip, and the weather on the coast seems to be frequent IFR, especially in the mornings.

I won't make any proclamations about what other people should do, but, for me, my IR made me a much more competent and 'professional' pilot. It removed the temptation to scud run or fly in marginal visibility. It was a huge factor in reducing anxiety. It also made me a better pilot in general.

Although I don't do the 'every flight an IFR' any more, I do follow the GPS approaches into unfamilar uncontrolled fields at night. I like the known determined approach into uncontrolled fields at night much better than doing a visual only approach.

I get an IPC every year or two, even though I maintain my currency legally, I always seem to learn something flying with an instructor during the IPC. 

Last year I went to a MAPA PPP with my M20F. I had not planned on doing the PPP until 2013 (every other year) until I changed to the K. I'll be going to the Tucson PPP in April.

I put a G430 in my '62 M20C. The M20F came with a G430W. I had one of the two G430 units in the K upgraded to WAAS. I like them. Once I got used to the G430 it became one of my best friends in the aircraft, along with a decent A/P and the NexRad and now ADS-B weather link.

Last comment: When I was training for my IR it was really difficult to stick with a frequent and regular schedule. Amazingly (to me) my instructor didn't like to do IFR training in IMC, and we had a lot of that in Upstate NY.

Eventually I went to GATTS (www.gatts.org), spent 7 days in KS, and came home with my IR. I had concerns about whether I'd be capable of completing the training in 7 days, and if it would 'stick'. Both concerns were totally unfounded. I got through it, and the training seemed to 'stick' better than the previous spread-out work at home. It seemed expensive, but when I look at what I spent in the previous training to not get very far along, it was probably less expensive; the expense was just all at once instead of spread out.

I said I wasn't going to make any statements about what other pilots should do, but I am going to anyway:

If you live in an area where you frequently find your trips cancelled or delayed due to IMC, consider it.

If you find you are ocassionally scud running, you SHOULD get your IR.

If you want to just be a better pilot and more confident about weather, consider it.

Jim

 

 

 

 

[201er]

Quote: JimR

Mike,

I agree with you about the relief from the temptation of getthereitis, or even more so, gethomeitis, being one of the greatest safety benefits of the instrument rating.  I'm curious, though, how you conclude from either the NTSB report or the Flying article that this pilot's financial predilections are in any way related either to his decision not to obtain an instrument rating or to his decision to launch into IMC that day without one. 

Perhaps you knew him and can elaborate?  I see that the accident took place in your part of the world. 

Jim 

[201er]

Oh. No, not at you specifically at all. Just at the overall conversation and ideas being thrown around.

[Z W]

The grizzled old pilot that did my IFR checkride suggested that, for currency, the best thing to do is schedule an instrument proficiency check with a CFII every 6 months.  That way, you never have to check back through your logbook to see if you are legally current, and you never go too long between somebody checking to see if you are practically current.

I put it on my calendar.  It doesn't seem like a bad idea.

[DaV8or]

Quote: mooneym20d

I use a Commander docking station to practice at home with a KLN 94. I know they have them for the GNS 430. Basically, you slide out the GPS from your plane's tray and slide it into the Commander. A great tool to use. I got mine on Ebay for $75. 

[DaV8or]

Quote: omega708

The limited experience that I've had with the GNS 430 and 430W has been pretty good,  but I have pretty limited experience with aviation GPS's in general...  a 430W seems like a dream system compared to my Apollo GPS 2001 with slaved 360 moving map....  What do you prefer over the 430?  I ask because I was planning to install a 430W in my plane in the next 2-3 months...

Not trying to get us off topic, the upgrade is directly related to my instrument training.  

[DaV8or]

Quote: 201er

Why pay for a simulator when there are 2 free options that are much more convenient.

A) Download computer simulator from Garmin

Plug your airplane into external power on the ground and play with physical GPS

You're going to have to download and read the manual. It's longer than the manual for the entire plane, I know! As you read the manual, take notes about useful and new features you don't know, practice them on the simulator, read some more manual, then bring your notes with you and try these in the real plane in VFR flight (possibly with someone else flying) until you can remember and do this on your own.

[201er]

Quote: DaV8or

A) I don't have a Windows machine and I doubt I would learn much from pointing and clicking, so I'm not inclined to go and buy a computer, or a copy of Windows 7 and do that.

this more likely what I'll do. Not free though. Looks like the power supply is about $250. Actually turning the knobs and pushing the buttons is how I'm more likely to get the path ways worn into my head and sort out the very left brain architecture of the 430. I really wish Apple made avionics.

I did read the manual, but it's just words and pictures, so it doesn't really sink into memory. I remember all the things the 430 is supposed to do, but not how to do the button/knob comb to get there. Like you said, it comes with the biggest manual in the plane by far and it's really only useful as a reference tool. Funny that I bought an iPad, downloaded ForeFlight and in about 10 minutes with no manual I'm good to go. I really wish I could just go and get the GTN-650, but the FAA, Garmin monopoly and lawyers say it needs to cost $13,000+

[DrBill]

Quote: DaV8or

This poll should have included a "Yes I am instument rated, but not current." option. Getting the IR was tough, but keeping current has proven even tougher. Now I'm so far behind, it's pretty much like starting all over again. Having the 430 doesn't really help much either. That thing is a user interface nightmare. Anybody know of a FAA approved simulator with a 430 in it in my area?

This is posted by the real Dav8or!

[DaV8or]

Quote: DrBill

I think you need just more practice.. Get a safety pilot and go for an hour or two.

[201er]

Regardless if you're going to go through clouds or not, it's a good idea to have at least the most critical IFR components functional. It'll definitely make you safer in the event of inadvertant flight into IMC, night flight, low VFR, etc.

[John Pleisse]

Awesome...

[cbarry]

IFR--yes.  Earning additional ratings is a permit to keep learning.

[DrBill]

Time and money.. That's all it takes.  I have a better understanding of your situration now Dave.

We have about the same equipment and I would really justify fixing anyting that's broke quickly. Now that I'm really comfortable in IMC, I don't want to go back to VFR for any XC trip over 20-30 miles or so.

It all comes down to prioirites. Sound like you are OK flying VFR and if so, that's great.  I woulld really miss flying if my plane was not IFR worthy.  It's really now getting to be fun again.

Good luck in getting all your stuff fixed.  Keep us posted.

BILL

 

[WardHolbrook]

I've been instrument rated for 37 years. I've been a CFII for over 30 years,

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uF7-AxleI_0

 

 

[WardHolbrook]

DOUBLE POST

[1964-M20E]

Getting closer every day to having my IR.  Passed the writen this weeend and half way there on the required number of hours.  Unfortunatley this makes flying feel more like work to get the next raing but the rewards will be worth it.

[Hank]

Yes, getting the rating IS work! But having it, and using it, is much, much less. Staying current requires time and effort, but nothing like learning it in the first place. Keep on keeping on, it is so worth it once you are finished.