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Help – I Need Confidence in the Clouds!

Asked by: 1706 views Instrument Rating

Hi Everyone,

I've been instrument rated for about 5 years now but live in California and as such have only managed to log about 10 hours of actual IMC (vs. dozens of hours of simulated IMC). Trouble is, I don't have a huge amount of confidence in the clouds and I'm curious what you all do to get over this mental barrier.

I'm sure the general answer is, "get more practice" which I agree and understand. But this question is more about the best way to transition one's mindset and quiet one's nerves the instant one makes the transition from VMC to IMC which has always created some stress for me. Any best practices would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks! 

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1 Answers



  1. KDS on Aug 05, 2018

    I remember seeing just in the last day or two an FAASTeam seminar of making the transition from VMC to IMC (VFR to in the clouds). Take a look at the webinars and see if you can find that.

    It really is a bit of a tricky time because you don’t just go from 100% one way to 100% the other most of the time. It’s kind of in – out – in – out – in – in – in.

    I have heard of pilots putting their foggles on when they enter IMC. I’m very much opposed to taking that as a recommendation. However, perhaps try giving yourself a “foggle attitude” might help. Just try to think as if you were wearing foggles.

    Then, of course, you hit the nail on the head with the “get more practice”, but that is easier said than done as we all know.

    Personally, I don’t like flying single pilot and I definitely don’t like like going IFR, much less IMC single pilot. If nothing else, it gives you someone to hold hands with when things get scary. (That’s an old A-6 pilot joke.) But, seriously, you might find yourself better able to concentrate on the tasks associated with IMC flight if you knew that someone who was qualified was sitting beside you. The only caution is to be sure you both understand your roles, duties, and responsibilities before leaving the ground.

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