The other thread reminded me of an interesting situation I got into on the way out of Victoria, BC. I had filed for a lower than optimal altitude due to forecast icing at 9000. Once airborn I could see that the cloud layer in question had tops around 9000, and I could climb on top before I...

I have been working on my instrument rating for the past three months and although I have gained considerable new knowledge, it feels like my brain is in information overload. Now every time I study something new, everything already learned seems to purge itself. Has anyone else felt this way...

A question about something that I guess I just didn't get enough info on during my instrument training. What exactly are you looking for when looking at a radar image. Are you trying to avoid all returns? Is an area of just green ok? Any other things in particular to look for?

The Garmin 480 now supports LPV approaches which are ILS like approaches using WAAS-GPS for both LNAV and VNAV. My question. I'm assuming the LPV approach would target 1000ft down the runway as the TDZ (just like an ILS). Does this mean that LPV approaches will not be added to the airports with...

The other day I wanted to get a clearance to get above an overcast while in cruise. When I asked for a clearance the controller said it would be awhile because my destination was more than 500 miles away. He said he needed to get me a clearance all the way there even though my intention was to...

October 23, 2004 12:00 1.6 hrs. (1.0 actual) First solo IFR, 2 approaches in actual! A warm overcast day with a slight breeze. Everything was reporting broken skies from 2200 up to 8000 where it was supposed to be overcast. A few patches of blue sky here and there made the "occasional IFR along...

I decide to take the plane and really go on a long XC flight, well beyond the definitions in the FARs, with my wife for a little R&R. This would be my longest flight to date and even surpassed what I did for my commercial long XC a couple of months ago. The totals we One way distance =...

After upgrading to software version 2, the CNS-80 offers a new display page, resembling an HSI with a VDI pointer at its left. The unit's computed VDI presentation is active for many GPS approaches, as well as for all LNAV and LPV approaches. However, I have not (yet) found in the pilot's manual...

How much seperation do you get on final? Is there a standard? I know that the runways are like 4200 feet or closer together... and I know that seperation before and while turning to final is something like 3 miles or 1000 feet vertical... but is there any separation criteria while going down the...

Hello All -- You are invited to drop by Zeno's Warbird Video Drive-In (www.zenoswarbirdvideos.com) and catch our ETO Triple Feature of World War II aviation films for free online video viewing. * This month "At the Matinee," we're showing "The Fight for the Sky," an action packed Drive-In...

I got a good friend who works for the FAA at a major airport. He told me the experienced controllers and technicians are retiring and leaving by the dozens and the only thing they are hiring are black females and people who are basically unqualified and stupid. Now that's scary. I never thought the...

I had reported on my trip to Georgia a few days ago. Now the rest of the story. I used Airnav for the cheapest fuel stops. Also used it to get my motel at Days Inn with the discount on Airnav. When I called for my reservation the gentle man quoted a price of $71.00. I told him I could get a better...

A few weeks ago I flew a practice GPS RWY 24 approach into ELM. I don't recall the exact heading coming in, but it was in the sector leading to CIMAN. I'm new to GPS approaches having just returned after several years of inactivity, and still haven't got all the nuances figured out. I expected...

Hi all. Just got back from a Doug Carmody class...www.safepilot.com. Intensive week, came with 20 hours, and finished up with a checkride today. Great course, heavy in a very advanced simulator...no motion, but great visuals. Can't say enough good about the experience, and if anybody asks I will...

With all the talk about the GNS80 and the Garmin 430 having VNAV and LAAS capability, I would like to know something. Are there any actual approaches in use that one can fly, today, that use these features? Do you get vertical guidance from GPS derived altitude or is it vertical guidance from...

When the weather is bad and the examiner gives you the option of delaying for better weather, don't say "Well, if I can't pass my checkride in IMC I'm probably not qualified for the IFR rating." First attempt at the checkride. Icing forecast at 6,000. Examiner said "No problem. We probably...

Took off Saturday morning at 6:30 still very dark. Got my IFR clearance in the air and soon was in solid IMC. Some clouds were nasty black. Got course deviation don't like to bounce my plane around. 2 hours into the flight the clouds were not as nasty. 30 minutes later I landed at SGJ for fuel....

Last weekend I flew my first Angel Flight from MRY down to SMO. There was the remnants of a cold front that passed through the day before between the Bay Area and LA so there was plenty of clouds hanging around, mostly build-ups over the mountains with tops 90 to 110 and some lower layers BKN30. So...

Just looked at my approach plates. Very few have NDB approaches, some are VOR DME, some require ADF. More and more now are GPS. Since I can use the GPS instead of DME for Some VOR approaches, is it not wise (prudent) to get an IFR certified GPS now? Should it be a Garmin 430 or a 480? The cost of...

Anyone try the accelerated IFR program at Shelble? http://www.shebleaviation.com/ifr.html is their site Thanks