"Jay Honeck" wrote in message
news:CGU3d.79848$MQ5.5765@attbi_s52...
But, despite your barb on the instrument pilot, you have to
remember
that
you are only half a pilot without the instrument rating.

Hrm. I would strongly disagree with that.

Don't worry, Dylan -- he always likes to throw that "I'm an instrument
rated
pilot" around, like it's some sort of badge of courage.

Although I don't agree with the "half a pilot" statement as the manner
of presenting the gist of the sentiment, the basic intent of the
statement, which is to infer a certain degree of increase in proficiency
as a pilot by going through the process of obtaining the instrument
rating (even for a VFR pilot) is entirely in line with the thinking of
the professional flight instruction community.



I've safely flown from one end of this country to the other, for
almost ten
years, VFR. In most cases (as was the case with the fellow in the
182), an
instrument rating would not help much in my Pathfinder. I'm simply
not
going anywhere in ice, snow, or storms in my current steed, regardless
of
who is pilot in command.

Now, if I had the wherewithal to own a Pilatus, King Air, or something
equally weather-capable, THEN the IR would be a true value -- and I'd
have
one.

Until then, however, getting the rating would only be a fun diversion
from
what I'm supposed to be doing.

I would disagree with you on this, simply based on your propensity for
extended cross country flights in VFR conditions. It's true that you can
do this VFR continusly for protracted periods and experience no problems
as you have done, but the "professional" advice from me anyway would be
for ANY pilot flying the type of schedule you like to fly ; along the
routes you seem to favor; should absolutely consider seriously, the
option of obtaining an instrument rating.
Flying extended cross country VFR, especially over mountainous
terrain.....you just never know when all that instrument training might
come in handy some day. But then again, that's just my opinion. You of
course would be the final judge about what's best in your individual
situation.
Dudley Henriques
International Fighter Pilots Fellowship
Flight Instructor/Aerobatics/Retired