I did not find that my VFR skills deteriorated during my IFR training --
although I did discover that my ability to maintain altitude and heading
precisely certainly improved. In fact, I became a sharper pilot all
around
during my training.

Everybody's different I guess but when I fly VFR it is almost totally
seat of the pants, which is nearly the exact opposite of flying IFR.

I have to jump back in G

OK . . . I agree so far. Totally different kind of flying. IFR is "in
addition to" not "in lieu of". One can do both--just not simultaneously.

I
fly final to dirt strips beneath the stall horn, fly below the tops of
the mountains up against the downwind side for lift. I fly by sight and
sound. The sound of the air and the engine, not by any numbers on the
airspeed indicator. I can maintain any airspeed, altitude or attitude
to fairly precise limits, but why?


One reason is because to do so (well) is a flying skill. And once in a while,
one likes to demonstrate mastery of his skills. And like all skills, it
deteriorates unless it is practiced.

Sometimes a musician will pick up the sheet and play the piece exactly as
written . . . and once in a while, he'll just jam and improvise. Different
skills.


What aspects deteriorate, in your opinion?

Flying IFR gets you out of tune with the plane.


Completely not true. Me and my plane have more than 700 hrs together, both VFR
and IFR. We're damn tight.


It simply becomes a
transportation vehicle because it is drilled into you to never get
anywhere near the flight envelope edges.


Only during IFR flight. And for sound reasons having to do with human
physiology, and the precision required
of good IFR skills.

If you are VFR, you can do all the steep turns and loops and aerobatics that
your aircraft and skills allow.

Othen than popping out and
having the runway right in front of you where you expect it to be IFR
flying sucks all the fun out of flying


Oh, Lordy! My poor ears :-(

Dude, it sounds like you just don't enjoy the cerebral exercize of flying. The
intense concentration and focus, the ability to multi-task and stay ahead of
things, the self-discipline required . . .
It's like meditation in a way. It's a very cleansing experience for me. It's a
mental challenge, and I like the stimulation.

Yes, it's work. And it's fun. Nirvana.



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