nrp wrote:

Gene (and others too)

Not being an instructor but a 42 year Pvt Instrument (no longer current
by a long ways) -

In biennials, in your opinions, what fraction of the experienced (say
over 10 years experience) pvt-onlys are instrument competent (not
necessarily legal) when confronted by a sudden loss of visibility?

It has really bugged me that Kennedy, who I understand was nearly
complete with his instrument rating, couldn't even make the transition
in a slowly deteriorating situation. I know another case some years
ago of a fellow that was working on an instrument that also lost a
Mooney and three other guys in a similar situation with ground fog and
a night departure, and 5 hours of fuel on board.

For that matter - what fraction of experienced instrument people could
make that same rapid transistion to the gages?

You raise two interesting questions. I'm not a CFI or DE either, just
an instrument rated private pilot (who has passed the commercial written
recently though! :-) ) with 26 years of flying history.

I personally don't think many non-instrument pilots can handle
unexpected IMC. In fact, even many instrument rated pilots aren't
current and proficient enough to handle it. Also, I think there is a
pyschological "switch" that must be made even for instrument pilots when
encountering marginal conditions. You have to make a decision to
abandon your attempt to remain visual and go onto instruments full time.
I think the really dangerous part is trying to switch back and forth
and keeping hoping that you'll return to visual. I think this can trap
even proficient instrument pilots.


Matt