Shot my first approach to the mins today...

[mattp1803]

My 2nd time in actual, I got a chance to fly the ILS 19 approach into KACT this morning, it was amazing. We took off out of KFWS at about 9 am this morning. After receiving my clearance we took off into the clouds and climbed to 4000 msl, getting on top of the clouds at about 2500 msl. It was a beautiful sunny morning upon breaking out on top.

I got my clearance for the ILS 19 approach, and shortly after began my decent on the glide slope. The straight in ILS mins for runway 19 are 705/24 (200ft agl). Descending through 800 I still did not have a visual on anything but gray. Closing in right at 700 (mins) my instructor and I were starring out the window and I spotted the approach lights guiding me in at 200 agl, I continued with the approach. The runway finally appeared about 100ft agl w/mist and I continued with the landing.

That was so much fun! If any of you are working on your instrument training, I highly recommend going for as much actual as you can get. There is nothing quite like the thrill of spotting the runway as you break out.

[H46Bubba]

Originally Posted by mattp1803

My 2nd time in actual, I got a chance to fly the ILS 19 approach into KACT this morning, it was amazing. We took off out of KFWS at about 9 am this morning. After receiving my clearance we took off into the clouds and climbed to 4000 msl, getting on top of the clouds at about 2500 msl. It was a beautiful sunny morning upon breaking out on top.

I got my clearance for the ILS 19 approach, and shortly after began my decent on the glide slope. The straight in ILS mins for runway 19 are 705/24 (200ft agl). Descending through 800 I still did not have a visual on anything but gray. Closing in right at 700 (mins) my instructor and I were starring out the window and I spotted the approach lights guiding me in at 200 agl, I continued with the approach. The runway finally appeared about 100ft agl w/mist and I continued with the landing.

That was so much fun! If any of you are working on your instrument training, I highly recommend going for as much actual as you can get. There is nothing quite like the thrill of spotting the runway as you break out.

Congrats! It's quite a thrill. Now try an NDB to mins in actual. Awesome stuff!

[calcapt]

Congratulations, that is way cool. You will continue to see new and exciting things as you progress with your instrument flying. It's a feeling that's hard to describe isn't it?

[ctab5060X]

Originally Posted by mattp1803

My 2nd time in actual, I got a chance to fly the ILS 19 approach into KACT this morning, it was amazing. We took off out of KFWS at about 9 am this morning. After receiving my clearance we took off into the clouds and climbed to 4000 msl, getting on top of the clouds at about 2500 msl. It was a beautiful sunny morning upon breaking out on top.

I have found that my sunglasses are required equipment for day IMC. It is such a bright and beautiful world when you are on top of an overcast layer and it is clear above.

I got my clearance for the ILS 19 approach, and shortly after began my decent on the glide slope. The straight in ILS mins for runway 19 are 705/24 (200ft agl). Descending through 800 I still did not have a visual on anything but gray. Closing in right at 700 (mins) my instructor and I were starring out the window and I spotted the approach lights guiding me in at 200 agl, I continued with the approach. The runway finally appeared about 100ft agl w/mist and I continued with the landing.

Congrats! It really is an awesome feeling the first time that you fly an approach to mins in actual conditions.

That was so much fun! If any of you are working on your instrument training, I highly recommend going for as much actual as you can get. There is nothing quite like the thrill of spotting the runway as you break out.

I agree. I personally think there should be a change in the regs to require a certain amount of actual time during the instrument training, and a certain amount of that flying approaches in actual conditions. There is such a huge difference between flying with a view limiting device and Mother Nature limiting your view for you.

[FrankiegPilot]

Hey thats awesome man goodjob. I'm right behind ya in my IFR training.

[H46Bubba]

Originally Posted by ctab5060X

I agree. I personally think there should be a change in the regs to require a certain amount of actual time during the instrument training, and a certain amount of that flying approaches in actual conditions. There is such a huge difference between flying with a view limiting device and Mother Nature limiting your view for you.

That's fine and dandy, if you live where you can get actual all year long. On the west coast and southwest there are only certain times in the year where you can "possibly" get actual instrument conditions, hence why it's not mandatory by the FAA or airlines.

[mattp1803]

Originally Posted by calcapt

Congratulations, that is way cool. You will continue to see new and exciting things as you progress with your instrument flying. It's a feeling that's hard to describe isn't it?

Thanks! Yes, it is very hard to explain. Words can't really describe what you see when you break out on top and it's a beautiful sunny day, or when you break out on approach and spot the runway. It's one of the most awesome things I've experienced so far in flying.

[bap327]

I love it too, my first was a two hour flight in the clouds and then an approach to mins and I was in awe that the runway was right there was is was supposed to be. What a feeling!!

[mattp1803]

Originally Posted by H46Bubba

Congrats! It's quite a thrill. Now try an NDB to mins in actual. Awesome stuff!

Sounds pretty interesting, I don't think the a/c I'm flying has an NDB though.

[pilot4500]

That's awesome! You never forget your first approaches to mins. After a while it starts to become routine, especially when you're a freight dog.

[skidz]

I'm doing instrument training right now, can't wait to do some actual sometimes.

[ctab5060X]

Originally Posted by H46Bubba

That's fine and dandy, if you live where you can get actual all year long. On the west coast and southwest there are only certain times in the year where you can "possibly" get actual instrument conditions, hence why it's not mandatory by the FAA or airlines.

Very true. There are even times down here where it goes VFR for a long time, but I still think we need something. For me personally, flying around under a hood all day is great for teaching instrument procedures, but it really doesn't prep you for actual conditions...

It is just crazy to me to think that someone's first approach in actual conditions could be in the right seat of an RJ...

[ctab5060X]

Originally Posted by pilot4500

After a while it starts to become routine, especially when you're a freight dog.

[Maximillian_Jenius]

grats' Matt!

[Kingairer]

thats something i still get excited about.

[mojo6911]

Your first ever ILS and first ever actual wasn't too shabby...

[OldTownPilot]

Originally Posted by mattp1803

Sounds pretty interesting, I don't think the a/c I'm flying has an NDB though.

I hope your airplane doesn't have an NDB

[Qgar]

Congrats, Matt! Sounds like it was an awesome experience. Keep up the good work!

[TheAviator737]

Great job, I must agree with everyone with it being a great experience, I have not experienced shooting an approach down to minimums yet but no worries, im sure I will get to experience that thrill! hopefully soon

[mattp1803]

Originally Posted by mojo6911

Your first ever ILS and first ever actual wasn't too shabby...

Thanks man. That day with you was also a fun day and approach into FWS. I will never forget that flight considering it was my first ever flight in actual.

[skidz]

Today I had my first approach ever and it was in the actual IMC down to almost the minimums. For more info refer to Skidz Flight training confessions thread in Changing careers