Flights after the instrument ticket

[B767]

I read an article in a magazine and the writer said it is good practice to basically always file IFR FPs once you get your instrument rating. That way you can always shoot approaches so that the flight "always" ends the same whether it's clear and a million or minimums.

My question is, is it worth it to file an IFR FP from COS to APA which is all but 50nm away? I will be starting instrument training in a couple weeks so I'm not familiar with other options...but I'm all ears.

[t-cart]

As someone who just got the instrument ticket a few years agoI would have to say yes it is worth it.If you are working on the inst.rating,filing on your trips will get you into and used to the system.The more times you file,the more comfortable you will be. T.C.

[the_dmn8tr]

Originally Posted by B767

My question is, is it worth it to file an IFR FP from COS to APA which is all but 50nm away?

Simple answer?

YES!

IFR takes a lot of the guess work out of flying, ATC knows where you are if you are in radar contact and can provide seperation from other IFR traffic. You don't have to worry about airspace clearances. And....it is just plain fun! (or boring, depending on how you look at it)

[Chewie von Nubbins]

I have seen quite a few of these articles myself. The thing that most of the writers leave out is....why it is important. They spend the whole article writing justification to support their original idea, but spend very little time, if any, on why people don't want to file IFR FPs.

The reason is simple. When most people get their IRA, they have just achieved a major accomplishment, but still do not feel comfortable with flying IFR. Most reasons are because they spent so much time learning how to fly an approach, but are not comfortable with STARs and SIDS and all of the enroute things that flying IFR takes care of.

In other words, most people understand that you must follow stringent procedures to fly IFR and are scared to file and fly IFR without an instructor. And, I am assuming what their statistical research has shown is that if a newly minted IFR pilot does not file and fly and IFR flight plan within X amount of hours of passing their IRA rating, they don't use their IRA ticket.

The reasons that you WANT to file and fly IFR will always FAR outweigh the reasons not to. Ever been turned down for VFR flight following? Well, you don't have to worry about being watched when on an IFR flight plan. And, you always have a nice approach to fly at the end of your IFR flight plan. Or, you can simply tell approach that you have a visual on the runway.

Just my .02

[ctab5060X]

Used to have a CP who gave me a hard time about filing IFR when the airports were only 50 or so nm apart. I would let him have his rant, turn around, and file anyway. I think I made my point the day I took off after him, yet beat him where we were going simply because I filed IFR and was able to top a low overcast layer (3000 ft) and take advantage of a better tailwind. Not to mention I was able to go through some airspace that he was attempting to avoid while VFR.

Since I got my rating, unless I am on training flights or in a VFR only airplane (rarely), I am always on an IFR flight plan. Like others have said, it takes the guess work out of flying, and I don't have to worry about ATC refusing VFR flight following.

Originally Posted by Chewie von Nubbins

The reason is simple. When most people get their IRA, they have just achieved a major accomplishment, but still do not feel comfortable with flying IFR. Most reasons are because they spent so much time learning how to fly an approach, but are not comfortable with STARs and SIDS and all of the enroute things that flying IFR takes care of.

In other words, most people understand that you must follow stringent procedures to fly IFR and are scared to file and fly IFR without an instructor. And, I am assuming what their statistical research has shown is that if a newly minted IFR pilot does not file and fly and IFR flight plan within X amount of hours of passing their IRA rating, they don't use their IRA ticket.

Good point.

[cignaguy]

I just received my IR a couple weeks ago at APA, and am about to start timebuilding for the commercial here in Atlanta. I plan on filing IFR regardless of how far the airport is.

Things that have been previously stated are so true. I kinda freaked out after I got my IR because I thought to myself, "wait, I just got my IR and my instructor and I really never did any DP's or STAR's, etc.."

I guess the only way to experience all the possible scenarios is to file and fly a ton of IFR? I mean, you touch on everyting a little bit during training, whether it is actually doing things, or just reviewing them in your ground work, but it seems there is so much that you don't actually become proficient in during IR training. Seems like approaches were about 70% of the IR training.

Time to go check out some Atlanta-area flight schools for the first time and start building time!

[tprops4me]

I feel safer flying in the system. I know it all a matter of perception, but I like having an extra set of eyeballs watching out for me.

[mojo6911]

I suggest VFR flight following. IFR can get you some weird routing and make a relatively short long x-c into a long mess.

[moxiepilot]

Originally Posted by Chewie von Nubbins

The reason is simple. When most people get their IRA, they have just achieved a major accomplishment, but still do not feel comfortable with flying IFR.

Nail + head


I wasn't comfortable flying IFR for a long time after I got my rating. I let it lapse to have to get my proficiency check and that's a bunch more involved than just staying current

[nosehair]

Originally Posted by mojo6911

I suggest VFR flight following. IFR can get you some weird routing and make a relatively short long x-c into a long mess.

Only if you are more concerned with getting from point A to point B in the shortest time and distance. The point being made here, is that filing IFR will expose a newly rated person to the changes in routing and other variables in IFR flying that he/she needs to become accustomed to, and learn to work with or around. You're never going to learn to work the system until it has played with you first.

[slpilot]

After I got my IR, I liked to get together with other guys who were freshly minted instrument pilots, it made us feel safer knowing there were two brains in that cockpit to figure out what was going on if there was any confusing, gotta use it or lose it.

[cfii2007]

I agree, maybe file IFR, put on a hood and take a safety pilot with you.

Everybody has their personal minimums and many (including myself) did not feel ready to be in IMC with a wet rating.

[PatrickCPS]

Absolutely agree. File and get used to flying in the system. I, too, like having an extra set of eyes on me, routing me around MOAs, etc, clearing me through various airspaces, and never having to worry about flight visibility or dodging clouds.

The only time I don't file on a X-C is if I know it will get me into a delay or routing mess (i.e. Chicago, NYC, etc.). Typically, in that case, I'll file IFR from a point outside the busy airspace, fly VFR to it, and pick up my IFR clearance (assuming VRF conditions exist, otherwise you're stuck dealing with whatever they give you).

[MidlifeFlyer]

Originally Posted by B767

My question is, is it worth it to file an IFR FP from COS to APA which is all but 50nm away? I will be starting instrument training in a couple weeks so I'm not familiar with other options...but I'm all ears.

I disagree with the "always file IFR" crowd.

First of all, from an operational standpoint, if you head west, chances are that you aren't flying the equipment that is going to get you up to the MEAs west of COS. That aside, if you are flying for enjoyment, being able to sightsee while listening to MP3s over your headset without having to deal with the structure of IFR flight is a good thing. VFR is just plain fun! Also, I find that instrument training, despite all of it's advantages for increasing pilot skill and knowledge, deteriorates visual skills - pilots who can't find an airport without flying an approach. I've flown with newly-minted instrument pilots who couldn't find I-25 on a flight between APA and COS unless they tuned in a cross-radial (really). It's good idea to keep those VFR skills up.

That said, the answer to your question is still "Yes." It is =definitely= worthwhile to file IFR between COS and APA (and to file IFR on a good percentage of your flights) for =exactly= the reasons Chewie gave.