IFR Cross Country

[einstein376]

I been working on my IFR rating. Today, my CFII and I flew the long cross country flight today in mostly cloudy conditions. 360 nm about half in the clouds. One ILS approach, one VOR approach and one GPS approach.

Great lunch at the Airport in Pellston, Michigan (KPLN) and it was cool having the IFR firehose of information beginning to many practical sense.

It was neat to watch the GPS/WAAS fly the approach ;-)

I loved filing on Foreflight, opening the plan in the air and having the controller suggest we could just fly GPS direct. I pretty sure he laughed when I said it was an IFR training flight.

A cool day of flying.

Jim

 

[janderson]

Re: IFR Cross Country

very kool Jim. hope we see you in Dayton.

Judi

 

[Sherman]

Re: IFR Cross Country

Hi Jim!
Congratulations on your IFR rating progress. I remember fondly those days, pre gps, where all fixes were VOR id'd, and the 'under the hood' excitement when the FI saud "OK hood off when we were at 300' on final at Philadelphia or BWI.

I remember one night training flight in status clouds at 5500, heat lighting around over the Chesapeake. Finished IFR in '79. Anyway many interesting experiences to come.

I gave up IFR in 92 after 'a daytime forced landing situation', but always glad I earned the rating and learned so much about precision control and self discipline.
Hope to meet you in Dayton!

 

[CenAir]

Re: IFR Cross Country

Jim

Enjoy it when a controller gives you a gps direct, as you won't get them much after you pass your IFR rating, and soon after will learn a new skill on how to beg to go direct gps with controllers and try and get one an harder than would think but can be be done sometimes and nice when you get one.

 

[Jamesdub]

Re: IFR Cross Country

Anyone remember those ‘duck bill’ type hoods? Days before foggles . .. Those dang things gave me vertigo just sitting static on the run-up ramp.
Best of luck with your training Jim!

 

[einstein376]

Re: IFR Cross Country

Thanks everyone - I hope to finish-up in August and get the check-ride done. We have reservations for the fly-in already and are looking forward to meeting everyone.

Jim

 

[N4843W]

Re: IFR Cross Country

Jim, notice the comment about rarely getting IFR direct is from Paul in Mass. IT can be tough in that area. Except for the DC to Boston corridor, I get IFR direct at least 4 out of 5 times I ask for it. First, not as congested in the rest of the country. But in time you will learn a lot of tricks to enable it, such as using your moving map to plot the IFR Direct course and see what problems it may cause a controller along the way ... such as MEA's, MOA's, Class B's, restricted airspace, etc. etc. You'll learn the going direct from present position might be a problem 200 miles down the road, but direct MKG direct destination will keep you clear of the Bravo and that MOA, so they will give you that.

You will also learn which ATC's are more willing than others. Kalamazoo Approach very helpful for example, South Bend not as much. Basically, you are trying to devise a plan that is very little work for them. Telling them that direct from present position, or direct from LFG will keep you clear, takes the work load off them. They may still check but you just gave them a reason to try.

You are close by. If you want me to give you a simulated check ride and fly some approaches, let me know. I would have loved to have done that when I got my ticket. Happy to help.

 

[milojevicp]

Re: IFR Cross Country

Dear Jim,

Let me know if you ever come to Midland, MI (KIKW)and I'll take you out for lunch and talk planes. Also, KMBS (Saginaw intl) are great for shooting approaches, even no-gyro approach practice since they do a lot of controller training there.

All the best,

Pete