Greg Farris wrote:
Here are some "general" tips for safe, single-pilot IFR, gleaned from
Larry Bartlett's refresher course. These tips do not represent the "meat
and potatoes" of the video course, but are thrown in at a couple of
points as generalities. How many agree with these :

1) No Single-Pilot, single engine IFR in IMC at night

I would never get any IFR time if I didn't. Seriously, I don't see your issue.
It really comes down to if you are going to be safer contacting the ground
on engine out in the dark with or without fog. I'd say its unlikely that
its a significant disadvantage over the (already admittedly dangerous)
engine out with night VFR.

2) No S-P Multi-engine IFR with MEA's higher than the aircraft's SE
performance

Don't have a multi, so can't comment.

3) No S-P IFR in IMC without dual vacuum sources, and strong
preference for dual alrternators.

Pretty much don't agree. I am moving away from vac stuff to electric,
its more reliable. The next step is to get rid of the vac horizon.
And people make a big deal about a single alternator, but it is not
true that it is single point of fail. It is also backed up by the
battery. In any case, the vac and the electric back each other up.
It comes back to if having the attitude go out kills you, even if
you have a backup for that. It seems to me that an electric attitude
that flags itself for problems is the best you can do here.

4) Keep VFR weather within range of the aircraft at all times, and
know where it is

Nice. Not always possible, but nice.

5) Avoid S-P circling approaches in IMC, and definitely not at
night or close to minimums


Agree. I don't do circling anything, except for my instructor. But
I fly needles and lines, and I don't feel comfortable any other way.