Peter Duniho wrote:

The two types of flight are only different with respect to the particulars.
They involve essentially the same kind of decision making, except that there
are more variables for IFR flight (which is what makes the decision more
complicated, IMHO).

Flying VFR, I have to consider my personal condition, the aircraft's
airworthiness, weather, facilities, airspace, and NOTAMs; flying VFR, I have
to consider my personal condition, the aircraft's airworthiness, weather,
facilities, airspace, and NOTAMs.

If there's any extra complexity, it's a matter of quality, not quantity --
minor snags might leave my aircraft airworthy for VFR but not IFR, for
example, and I have to consider the weather above the ceiling as well as
below it.

Personally, I prefer IFR for cross-country flights, because it leaves me
with more options -- I can climb up above the clouds (or just into them) to
get a better wind and avoid all the VFR traffic down below 3000 ft, and I
don't have to start zigzagging around low scattered clouds. On the other
hand, I love VFR for just putting along at 2,000 ft AGL, following rivers,
roads, or railroads from town to town.


All the best,


David