I started IFR this spring after having my PP/SEL for about ten years. The
most rewarding and interesting flying I've done yet. Even if I didn't
finish the rating (which I will), the things I've learned in the last
month
have made me vastly more comfortable in the cockpit. Sure makes VFR seem
easy!

Agreed, it's good training. VFR flying becomes soooo much easier after 20
hours or so under the hood.

That said, I have not finished up my IR, even though I've got all the flying
requirements and was signed off to take the flight test. (I haven't taken
the written, yet.)

Why? Because (a) I simply don't have time right now to study, and (b) I
don't believe that I would use the rating enough to stay proficient enough
to be safe.

I've flown for almost 10 years, and almost 900 hours, VFR. Throw in another
500 hours with Mary as PIC during that period. There have been some times
when I wished I had the rating, but -- more often than not -- when I've been
grounded due to weather, an IFR rating wouldn't have helped. My plane is
simply not capable of handling ice, snow or thunderstorms -- and that covers
95% of the times I've been on the ground, cursing the weather gods...
--
Jay Honeck
Iowa City, IA
Pathfinder N56993
www.AlexisParkInn.com
"Your Aviation Destination"