For what it's worth...
There is NO substitute for actual instrument practice. Getting the
instrument rating is just a license to practice. New folks, even with a
rating, should find someone VERY experienced, with a well equipped aircraft,
and fly it at night and/or instrument conditions a LOT. You don't have to
look for winter storms; just go out after dark where the ground is black
(probably not too easy to find in Europe). All it took to do in JFK,Jr.
was a hazy night over water. Admitted that he did not have an instrument
rating, but it was a classic setup. He had enough training that he was
immune, I guess (I think he was a lawyer). While we're on the subject, any
government policy that doesn't allow folks to practice with their own
equipment condemns to death many who blunder into situations that they are
not prepared for. Any kind of partial IMC should go to instrument rules
immediately. Everyone should have the Microsoft Flight Simulator and use
it.
Brad Newell
-----Original Message-----
From: owner-europa-list-server@matronics.com
[mailto:owner-europa-list-server@matronics.com] On Behalf Of josok
Subject: Europa-List: RE: What's your position on Night and IMC privileges
for Permit
Even with the best prepared flightplan with the best available and actual
information it will happen to anybody who is regularly flying that he or she
will end up in IMC. Almost all of the deadly accidents over the last years
in Finland are examined to be due to loss of control in IMC. All of them
were experienced VFR pilots. Study shows that on average a VFR pilot looses
control of his plane in IMC in 45 seconds. To be able to handle your plane
in IMC seems to be pretty important. With that in mind it would be good the
lower the threshold to get sufficient experience and training. Plain IR in
IFR rated planes is too expensive, and will hold people off from getting
proper training. The result is not good for safety at all. Alternatively IMC
training ( The UK has it, congrats) in your own experimental, which then has
to be equipped to handle the situation, will save lives. It seems absurd to
me, that since night operations are not allowed in he UK for experimentals
even navi
gation lights are regarded as superfluent. That's a policy that assumes
that, since it is not allowed, everybody will be home before dark. Same
thing for IMC flying, since it is not allowed, nobody will end up in the
soup. Reality and the accident rates point in another direction. Since most
of us fly for fun, i can't really imagine that many pilots would choose to
fly at night or in IMC as a free choice. But better be prepared for the day
it is needed!
Regards,
Jos Okhuijsen
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