That was AWESOME!!!

[Awkward Bird]

I had the opportunity to go up with a friend of mine and experience actual IMC in a small plane today. We flew from SJC to Sacramento Mather. He shot three ILS approaches there, then we flew back to SJC. I got to play tourist, take pictures, watch and listen to the whole Instrument Flight Rules process. It was my first time in the clouds in a small plane.

At first I was disoriented but then I started scanning the instruments along with the pilot and that got my head on right. I was finally able to relax and watch and listen as he got clearances, changed headings and frequencies, etc. as we got bounced around a bit in the clouds. It was neat seeing how an ILS approach works in real life and finding the runway after being in the clouds was cool.

After we got back I realized my face hurt from smiling so much! It was very VERY cool. You can see pictures here:
https://plus.google.com/u/0/photos/105948879992310679012/albums/5720343274834776849

The best thing was... I realized that I have never heard a controller in Northern California rattle off a clearance half as fast as my CFII does. If I can keep up with him I'll do fine in real life

 

[Nightowl]

Great learning experience for you! The two best experiences in IFR flight are (1) taking off into a low overcast and then busting out on top into clear blue sky after climbing up through the soup and (2) breaking out on an approach near DH/MDA to find the runway right where it's supposed to be in front of you.

Your photos were very reminiscent of a flight we made from Buffalo, MN, to Traverse City, MI a few years ago. We took off into a low overcast and then flew through stuff like your pix show, in and out of IMC for most of the three-hour flight (two of it logged as IMC). We flew across Lake Michigan and never saw it. The approach into Traverse City was a little anti-climactic (well above minimums and no great thrill when we broke out), but still a great feeling of satisfaction after an interesting and challenging flight.

John

 

[vettdvr]

I've done all of those in 172's and others. It is fantastic when you break out on top after a scuddy take off and when you find the runway at minimums. It is also great after hand flying 2 hrs in IMC and then popping out in clear blue VFR skies. Great stuff. Just never let your attention slip when IMC hand flying.

 

[Awkward Bird]

Well... the guy I was flying with made flying an ILS approach look easy yesterday.

 

[vettdvr]

Well... the guy I was flying with made flying an ILS approach look easy yesterday.

 

[Henry M]

I found my IFR training a lot of work too, but also a lot of fun. Somehow all the cares of the world faded away when I was int he plane (they still mostly do, even flyingVIFR). I like the concentration and dedication required, especially in the early stages of training. Things do come together eventually and getting your ticket will be very satisfying.

I rarely fly in real instrument weather, and knew that i wouldn't coming in. I just don't fly enough to be current and really proficient. However I still think getting my IFR rating was a very good thing to really polish my overall flying ability.

 

[Renegade 9]

Actually landed on the runway in a non-crash this time. My brain was totally fried after that 1 hour exercise.. it felt like 2 hours! More ILS approaches on my next lesson. So far IFR training is fun.

Very cool... how far are you into your IR training?

 

[Awkward Bird]

Very cool... how far are you into your IR training?

I feel like I'm just starting but things are moving fast at the same time. Its a fast but comfortable pace. 5.4 hours in a Frasca 131 sim so far... another 5 hours of ground instruction. I do a lot of independent study. My CFII and I do approx 1 hour ground and 1 hour "flight" each lesson. It works out well for me to ask whatever questions I have from last lesson and my study and then go over what we'll do in the sim. Then "fly" the sim for 1-1.3 hours and debrief. I've got three more lessons scheduled using a Frasca 131 in March then in April he says I'll switch over to using a Redbird sim.

 

[Ward Holbrook]

The joy of it never goes away. I still get a big grin on my face after every ILS. Getting the rating is a lot of work, but you get a lot of pleasure when you get to use it.