Robert M. Gary wrote:

I disagree. A VFR only pilot is safer than an instrument rated pilot
who does not maintain competency. I've probably talked more students
out of the instrument rating than I've given instruction to. The fact
is, unless you really believe you will fly on a regular basis and need
to keep up currency, its not only a waste of money, but gives you a
false sense of ability. I think too many CFII's talk students into
doing the instrument rating because its the most profitable of all
training for the CFII. I've actually known several instrument pilots
who have decided that after decades of spending 99% of their
instrument time in currency (vs. actually flying instrument for a
reason), have dropped their instrument rating and decided that they
will never use it.


You make a good point. The majority of instrument pilots that I know here
in the southwest fit that profile. Actual instrument conditions in this
region are relatively rare. When we do get them, they're most often related
to winter storms with low icing levels, or thunderstorms. As a result, most
of the IR pilots I know rarely fly in actual IMC. The exceptions are those
that fly to the coast on a regular basis.

One of my friends got his instrument rating in 2001. He maintains his
currency by flying under the hood regularly, but has not flown in IMC since
he was training for the rating.

John Galban=====N4BQ (PA28-180)

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