On Thu, 15 Sep 2005 22:03:26 -0400, Wizard of Draws
wrote:

I would say that you don't need to, but if you're on the gauges, your
outside scan is minimal and it just might be prudent to have a second set of
eyeballs looking out for you with radar. FF is good too, but they may not be
able to handle you as VFR traffic.

I sure don't object to someone filing IFR whenever they have to "go on the
gauges". However, when I'm on an IFR flight plan, I really don't have much
difficulty including the outside in my scan. When VMC on a moonless, dark
night, the ability to see other traffic is enhanced, in my experience.

Flying from, let us say, PVC (Provincetown) to Nashua (ASH), going VFR
gives one a lot of flexibility that IFR does not. I've never had a problem
with flight following in that area.

And I can imagine that other areas IFR flight would also be unneccessarily
restrictive in terms of routes or altitudes, especially if in a non-radar
environment.


Ron (EPM) (N5843Q, Mooney M20E) (CP, ASEL, ASES, IA)